MANUFACTURERS based just yards away from each other in Burnley can progress with expansion plans in 2015 after borough councillors gave them their backing.

Extra furnaces are set to be installed at precision diecasters Lupton and Place, at their plant in Athletic Street, after proposals were approved by Burnley Council’s development control committee.

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Neighbours had voiced concerns regarding a possible noise nuisance but bosses said they would agree to keep factory doors closed between 6pm and 8am and restrict fork-lift truck operations overnight.

Planning officers said that this was reasonable as the family-run firm, which employs just under 150, had been in Athletic Street for a number of years and houses had been built around it in the intervening years.

Stephen Gill managing director, said in a letter: “We are currently operating towards the limit of our capacity and additional space is required to facilitate product volume increases from 2015.

“The proposed extension is attached to the current melting facility and will enable us to introduce further furnaces, and also transfer some existing furnaces from their current location.”

Five jobs looks set to be created as a result of the move, with construction work limited to 8am to 6pm on weekdays and up to 1pm on Saturdays.

Meanwhile, C Pack Pendle, based in nearby Progress House, which makes packaging machinery, had applied for permission to construct an additional workshop and offices.

One neighbour was unhappy that the proposals would result in extra noise from heavy goods vehicles and have road safety implications for residents.

But management insisted that only one seven-and-a-half tonner and a Transit van made deliveries once a month and this would not change in future.

The nearest homes are 35 metres away, according to borough planners, and separated from the site by allotments and a garage site. And it is not believed that the additional space will increase noise levels.