WIDNES rendering operation Granox looks ready to construct a new building for handling preparing raw materials which could help to reduce odours emanating from the site.

A planning application by its parent company, Prosper De Mulder Ltd, was due to be approved this week by members of the development control committee who heard that the scheme has been put forward partly in response to stringent new EU rules on the processing of animal by products.

The Desoto Road company is planning to construct a single-storey 2,243sq m building, which will replace an existing structure which is regarded as 'poor quality'.

A report to the committee said that under existing arrangements raw materials are tipped by vehicle directly on to concrete floors.

But the proposed raw materials handling facility would be equipped with high speed doors and a series of airlocks to help to prevent odours escaping and the air would be extracted to a 'biological odour abatement system' which makes use of the best available techniques.

Environmental health officers have raised no objection in principle to the plan but have warned that there is 'likely potential' for the ground to be contaminated and they have demanded that ground investigations be carried out.

The building would be close to the boundary of AHC Warehousing and the site of the proposed Ditton Strategic Rail Freight Park, but extensive screening measures are already in place. An existing mound would substantially reduce the visual impact of the building.

A report to the committee said: 'The proposals result primarily from new EU regulations aimed at improving food security by audit approval and separation of animal by products.

'The construction of the new building will allow different category products to be tipped and contained in sealed segregated systems.

'The processing of separate products will allow the plant to revert to a wider product base including capability to handle packaged food products.'

It added: 'It is suggested that the current proposals will help further reduce odours at the site through the use of more modern plant but also by allowing the raw materials to be sorted and utilised more effectively to reduce the time materials are stored.'