RESIDENTS have called a public meeting to discuss plans for a new 5,900sq-metre building in a Vale village.

Kanes Foods has applied for permission to expand its salad leaf production operation at its site in Middle Littleton.

Members of North and Middle Littleton Parish Council have organised the meeting in the village hall next Wednesday, May 19, at 8pm. On the following day, Thursday, the plans will come before members of South Littleton Parish Council.

Warren Davies, clerk at South Littleton, said: "There are fears that any further development at the site would increase traffic through the village. We already have a traffic working group to deal with the issues of heavy lorries driving through."

Kanes owner John Randall said the development was essential to the future of his business, which employs more than 1,000 people. He said: "We are proud to be a member of this community and we want to continue our successes. I feel we have nothing to apologise for in trying to be more efficient and modern."

Roger Beard, financial controller at Kanes, said the new building was essential to the future of the company, which has had a food production in Middle Littleton for 40 years. "It will protect existing jobs because we are under such pressure from the supermarkets and other buyers to meet modern requirements. If we do not we could lose contracts."

The proposals for the Cleeve Road site also include new car parking and the creation of a conservation area around the new two-storey building.

Wychavon planning officer Mark Lynch said: "We imagine there will be some items that will need to be clarified, it is a big scheme and there are policy issues that need to be explored. There will also be an awful lot of consultation about this application."

The company has also applied for planning permission to expand its distribution warehouse at Vale Park.