Boardall’s cold store go-ahead to create 100 jobs

The firm, which is based off the A1 at Boroughbridge, was granted permission for a new 123,700 sq ft cold store by Harrogate Borough Council after outgrowing its current site.

It was the third time the company had applied for planning after the council and local residents opposed the previous two applications on the grounds that it extends on to green belt land.

But after the firm put forward its economic case and met residents, the decision was reversed.

Reed Boardall conveys over 5,300 different products to supermarkets nationwide.

Dave Trimingham, office director of planning and urban design firm Turley Associates, said: “Reed Boardall is one of the UK’s leading distributors of frozen foods to supermarkets and it has outgrown its current site.

“Two previous planning applications for new cold storage space had been turned down as the potential expansion land is in open countryside.”

Turley Associates reviewed alternative sites, assessed the economic benefits of the development and prepared a detailed environmental impact assessment.

It also consulted local residents who were actively opposed to the development.

Mr Trimingham added: “An extensive pre-application dialogue with Harrogate Borough Council resulted in them proposing the site, together with adjacent land owned by Reed Boardall as an employment allocation in its emerging development plan. This paved the way for an application which was recommended for approval by officers.”

Keith Boardall, group managing director of Reed Boardall, added: “We’re absolutely delighted with this decision. This next phase of our expansion will enable us to continue to meet the needs of our food processing and retail customers for efficient and sustainable cold storage, consolidation and distribution services. Once completed, the development will create more than 100 new jobs.”