Major update on plans for new multi-million pound Fisherman’s Friend factory

Almost three years ago, on September 6, 2023, Wyre’s planning committee approved the ambitious application for the erection of a building for the manufacture and distribution of lozenges, on land south of Windward Avenue.

The application includes a main production area, warehouse, engineering and services area, an office block for staff, a link area containing staff canteen and staff facilities, the erection of a detached security lodge/gate house by the site entrance, including the creation of a new access off Windward Avenue.
But the approval came with a large number of conditions, relating to the various works that will be needed on the site.
In April, it became apparent that Condition 10 – which called for the applicants to submit a remediation strategy including any sampling of on-site groundwaters and groundwater profiling – was causing delays because of the reptiles.
Planning papers said: “Clearance of scrub and ongoing reptile translocation works on site, that must be carried out in spring and summer outside the hibernation period, is preventing access for the piling rig to the southern end of the site, until reptile translocation is complete in approximately 3 months’ time.
“This will cause a significant delay to the programme preventing the building opening on programme to meet the clients needs.”
Now, an application to re-word the condition has attracted concern from both Wyre’s Environmental Protection and the Environment Agency.
The applicants are requesting approval of a change of wording to ‘prior to the commencement of any ground level capping construction works’ instead of ‘prior to the commencement of the development’.

Environmental issues

The Environment Protection commented stated: “Whilst we await the applicant’s response to the Environment Agencies comments on the wording of the condition, I would also have significant concerns with reference to the proposed piling solutions proposed, given that the piles would supposedly go through the significant depth of Made Ground where contamination is present, down to more supportive strata.
“The piling issue and risk of driving contamination into deeper soils must be addressed in a remediation statement before piling is carried out and therefore is required before certain groundworks are carried out.
“If the water ground water monitoring does not require remediation, then a piling risk assessment will be required before piling commences to highlight the risks and propose mitigation measures where necessary.
Accepting this will cause delays, it addeds:“It is understood that this situation is far from perfect for the developer, and Environmental Protection are ready to be pragmatic, but the issues above need addressing.”
Additionally, the Environment Agency stated: “Based on the proposed amendment to condition 10 we are not confident the revised wording will enable any identified risks to controlled waters to be mitigated if below ground earthworks have already been completed.
“We ask that the applicant reviews the current wording to reflect that any remedial works required to address risks to controlled waters will be undertaken in conjunction with the proposed ground earthworks programme for the development. “

Major employer

Lofthouse of Fleetwood, a major employer in the town and whose lozenges have long been a successful global band, currently has its factory building on Maritime Street.
But the lozenge-maker says a new factory is needed and the company bought the site from Associated British Ports (ABP) for an undisclosed sum.
Lofthouse of Fleetwood, which currently employs more than 300 people, was turned into a global brand by business pioneer and philanthropist Doreen Lofthouse OBE, who died in March 2021 aged 91
The factory remains one of the largest employers in Fleetwood and on the Fylde coast.