Canning plant planned for farm

A Herefordshire farm has put forward a plan to install a canning plant with a throughput of three million miniature drinks cans a year.

The proposal by agricultural installer Bourne Valley Associates, on behalf of Charles Layton, owner of Court Farm, Hampton Bishop, is to convert part of a redundant barn on the farm.

Mr Layton’s newly created company Four Farmers “intend to manufacture and sell their own new brand of soft drinks to the UK market”, the application says.

“It is intended to manufacture circa 3 million (150ml) soft drinks per annum for distribution to local companies.”

As all the canning equipment would be housed in the existing barn, there would be “minimal visual impact” on its surroundings, the application points out. One side would be re-clad in olive-green steel.

Canning would “take place over the 24-hour period 7 days a week within the building”, though deliveries “will only occur during working hours”, it says.

“It is therefore considered that there would be no adverse noise impact.”

Comments on the application, numbered 221894, can be submitted until August 25.