Go-ahead for cheese factory in Dales ‘vital for local economy’

Blueprints for the ambitious scheme to bring the Wensleydale Creamery’s operations into the 21st century and capitalise on the brand’s global reputation were approved yesterday by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

The creamery’s existing factory in Hawes dates back 60 years and production will now be centralised on to the site. The development will create a new cheese production plant, visitor centre, smoke house and offices.

The deputy chairman of the national park authority’s planning committee, Graham Dalton, claimed the development is one of the most significant schemes to be approved since he was elected a decade ago.

Mr Dalton, who chaired the meeting when planning approval was granted, said: “We have a balancing act as a national park authority to ensure the landscape is protected while also encouraging development to enhance the economy. The importance of the Wensleydale Creamery should not be under-estimated. It is a place where milk production is thriving and not declining.”

Wensleydale Dairy Products has an annual turn-over of £25m and employs 232 workers, while milk is supplied by 45 Dales farmers.

The enterprise contributes £12m to the economy, and Wensleydale Dairy Products is seeking protected food name status for Yorkshire Wensleydale to differentiate it from other brands on the market. The submission is currently being processed in Brussels.

The most controversial element of the re-development, however, are plans to create a large structure on the roof of the creamery’s main building that developers claim will mirror an erratic, or glacial boulder. The erratic would house a visitor centre with a history of Wensleydale’s cheesemaking and a viewing platform looking over the production line.

Conditions attached to the planning permission will mean an agreement will have to be reached with the park authority’s officers about what sort of building materials are used to construct it.

The re-development will see all cheese production moved to the Gayle Lane site in Hawes, with the firm’s second dairy in Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, handling blending, order packing and dispatching.

The Wensleydale Creamery’s managing director, David Hartley, said: “The decision recognises and supports our ambition to invest in our business to ensure efficiency, capability and sustainability, but most importantly create a viable legacy for cheesemaking in Wensleydale for future generations.

“We have been producing cheese from the current creamery building for 60 years and our exciting re-development plans will contribute to the sustainable growth of our business and in turn the Wensleydale economy.

“The backing of the Yorkshire Dale National Park is the first stage in our plan to deliver a showcase facility for handcrafted cheese production and as a tourism destination for fans of the brand that we are truly proud of.”

While the re-development will cost several million pounds, the exact price and timescales for construction have yet to be finalised.

Richmondshire District Council’s leader John Blackie, who is also Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council’s chairman, claimed the upgrade proves traditional industries can continue to flourish in the modern business world.

Coun Blackie, who is also a member of the national park authority’s planning committee, said: “It is a huge decision for the Upper Dales. The re-development will bring the site out of the last century and provide investment for the very best facilities around.”

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