CONTROVERSIAL plans to extend Decorpart in Nelson and create 35 to 50 new jobs could be given the go-ahead, despite public opposition.

The company, based in Edward Street, is a major producer of pressed, anodised, aluminium components for pharmaceutical, perfume and cosmetic bottles and dispensers.

It exports 70 per cent of its production and currently employs 250 people but is hoping to build a 2,400 square metre unit to expand to meet competition from other manufacturers.

Plans include a new fume scrubber tower, car parking and an access road of Edward Street, as well as temporary construction access off Pinder Street.

Council planning officers have recommended the proposal for approval subject to conditions, despite letters of objection from 27 nearby houses, 16 of which were a photocopied standard letter, and 28 pro-formas distributed by the residents' action group, 17 objecting outright and 11 voting for a solution to be sought which would benefit residents as well as Decorpart.

The main concerns were the risk of increased air pollution, fire and explosion hazard from manufacturing materials, noise nuisance, the visual impact and an increase in employee traffic in the residential part of Edward Street.

Around one quarter of the proposed unit and the new tower would be within Decorpart's existing site.

A report to the Nelson Committee pointed out that there was no evidence of a breach of national air quality standards from the existing plant and existing noise problems were being resolved through a monitored action plan.

There would also be strict operating conditions imposed and monitored by the Environment Agency.

Construction is expected to last 29 weeks, with heavy vehicles visiting for the first half of this period at an approximate rate of between three and five daily but with a peak for a week or two in the middle of the scheme of between five and ten daily.

But planners believe this would not significantly affect conditions of highway safety on these roads, nor residential amenity in Regent Street.

Planning manager Andy Wiggett said: "In view of the environmental statement and assurances from the council's environmental services unit regarding existing noise nuisance problems, and from the Environment Agency regarding the controls it will impose in respect of air quality, noise and other environmental matters it is reasonable to predict that the proposal could be carried out without adverse effect on the environment of the area or the residential amenity of the neighbours.

"As regards the visual impact of the proposals, I do not regard them as having an unreasonable effect on the outlook of neighbouring dwellings, subject to a satisfactory landscaping scheme being carried out, which would also retain some of the existing ecological habitat value of the existing site."

Councillors have been recommended to approve the plans, subject to conditions including details of landscaping, cladding, hours of construction, parking and noise levels.