Plans for a new building to manufacture asthma inhalers at a pharmaceutical site in Holmes Chapel have been given the go-ahead.

Recipharm wants to build the manufacturing plant on previously developed land to the northern part of its site, off London Road.

On Wednesday (February 8) when the outline application was being considered by Cheshire East's southern planning committee,  Cllr Steve Edgar (Haslington, Con) pointed out to the applicant's agent, Rhian Smith, there had been an objection from a resident regarding explosive cylinders.

"How close are those to the residences and is it really a danger?" he asked.

Ms Smith said this had been answered in detail by the company in the planning officer's report but added: "Recipharm followed all the necessary guidance from the British Aerosols Manufacturing Association and the HSE (Health and Safety Executive)."

She said the proposed building was beyond the minimum separation distance required from residential properties.

"Recipharm is a global pharmaceutical company and a major employer in the borough that has seen significant growth within recent years," the agent had earlier told the committee.

"The application seeks to secure permission for a new manufacturing unit on previously developed land in a strategic employment allocation."

She said it would not result in any adverse impact on residential amenity .

"Consideration of potential health and safety issues have been designed into the proposed development and consent will be secured from the appropriate regulatory bodies," said Ms Smith.

She said approximately 350 people are currently employed at the site – and they work shift patterns – and between another 50 to 70 jobs would be created.

Committee chair Andrew Kolker (Con), pictured above, whose Dane Valley ward covers the application site, said: "I've got no objection to this. I think it's a major employer, it creates good quality jobs, and pharmaceuticals have traditionally been very important to the Cheshire East economy, so I'm fully supportive of this."

The outline application, which was moved for approval by Cllr Stan Davies (Wrenbury, Con) and seconded by Cllr Sarah Pochin (Bunbury, Non-grouped), was approved unanimously.