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Factory fears

Thursday, 4 February 2010

The Dunbia Factory on the Fenaghy Road, Cullybackey.

DOUBTS have resurfaced over the long term future of a Cullybackey pork processing factory which was saved from closure only last year.
A planning application has been lodged to demolish the former Stevenson and Co plant at Fenaghy Road and zone the land for housing development.
The factory was rescued in January, 2009 by the Co Tyrone based Dunbia group after Stevenson and Co, which was in business for more than 150 years, announced rising costs were forcing it to close.
Dunbia not only secured around 100 local jobs but created up to 70 more and boosted existing pig production.
However, a planning application submitted by John McVeigh and Company proposes to turn the site and adjoining land into a residential development of detached and semi-detached dwellings, townhouses and apartments.
The application was refused in 2008 by planners who said the existing industrial land and building were "a vital local resource which must be maintained".
Insufficient information regarding potential contamination of the site and acceptability of the proposed development were also cited as reasons for refusal.
However just before Christmas the application was readvertised after planners received an "amended concept plan, contamination report and remediation strategy".
A spokesperson for Dunbia, the company which is currently employing around 200 staff at the plant, said it was "fully committed to sustaining and developing our pork processing operation in Ballymena".
She continued: "We acquired the operation in early 2009 as a strategic addition to our UK and Ireland multi-site meat processing business. Going forward, our focus will continue to be on the strategic growth of the Dunbia Group as a whole, with each of our sites playing a key role within that."
Unite Trade Union has written to the Planning Service voicing its objection to the application.

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