A major development by Carlsberg UK in the Northampton Enterprise Zone has been given the go-ahead.

The British arm of the world’s fourth largest brewer is expanding its Northampton site with a 7,000 sq m bottling plant, creating up to 60 new jobs. The scheme, which includes related offices and covered car parking, has been approved by WNDC’s Planning Committee.

Located next to the River Nene, Carlsberg’s UK headquarters was constructed in the 1970s. The new bottling plant will be in the south east corner of their site and falls within the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone. Announced by government last year, the zone aims to regenerate over 120 hectares of mostly disused land along Northampton’s river front.

Matt Callan, Supply Chain Director at Carlsberg UK said: “Carlsberg UK is committed to Northampton and committed to brewing in the UK. The green light on our plans to expand our brewery means we will create up to 60 new jobs in Northampton and be able to bottle double the amount of beer.

“Investing in Northampton is extremely important to us. We’re proud to be part of such a great town, and now that the UK home of beers including Carlsberg, Tuborg and San Miguel has been cemented in Northampton, we can’t wait to see that first bottle roll off the production line in early 2013″

Adrian Arnold, WNDC’s Director of Planning Services said: “We welcome Carlsberg UK’s expansion, which reflects the confidence of the business and investment community in Northampton. The bottling plant will be a high quality addition to their existing brewery, which is widely regarded as a local landmark.”

“Carlsberg UK’s expansion is the second scheme to be approved in the Northampton Enterprise Zone, following the Innovation Centre which was approved by Committee last month. It is a sign of further improvements to come, as the Enterprise Zone helps transform brownfield land into a leading business location”

Construction of the bottling plant, which is the brewery’s second and complements the three canning lines already in operation, is due to start in Spring 2012. It follows the completion of a £40 million development of Carlsberg UK’s site in October 2011, which saw brewing capacity increase, a third canning line installed and the introduction of an environmental programme to reduce energy consumption and waste.

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2. Northampton’s Waterside wins Enterprise Zone selection
3. New road will kick-start Northampton waterside scheme
4. Vince Cable welcomes enterprise schemes
5. Fresh future for rundown Northampton site