MULTI-MILLION pound expansion plans which will create 50 new jobs are set to get approval this week.

P&B Foods Ltd plans to double the size of its operation by moving into a purpose-built facility at the Prologis business park and increase its workforce over the next five years.

Bradford Council will meet on Thursday to discuss whether to grant planning permission for the development at the Rooley Lane site, with officers recommending the plans go through.

Mohinder Singh Bhatoa, P&B Foods managing director was not available for comment, but has previously told the T&A that the move was "an important step forward for our business and achieves our twin objectives of remaining in Bradford and being close to the motorway network."

The company's application includes a 16,000 square metre industrial building at the business park, near the Marks & Spencer Northern distribution hub.

The local authority has received two letters of complaint, which raise concerns about how long the building will take to construct, the loss of views for residents of the neighbouring Newhall Gardens estate and the impact of light pollution.

A planning report said that noise during construction was "inevitable" but that hours of work would be limited. The committee will be asked to impose limits on the site in relation to external lighting and the planning officers said that loss of views was not a reason for refusing the plans.

The company, currently based on Planetrees Road in Bowling, distributes a wide range of food products across the UK and Europe. Customers include Bradford-based Morrisons along with Tesco and a range of other retailers, wholesalers, hotels and restaurants.

It plans to invest around £5 million on its expansion. The new site includes a 127 space car park.

The family-run company was set up in 1967 and is now the the UK’s leading importer and distributor of Asian and oriental foodstuffs, supplying products such as rice, spice, lentils, flour, chutneys and pickle products from around the world.

If approved the business would be able to open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

The meeting of the regulatory and appeals committee will be held at Bradford City Hall at 10am.