£5m brewery scheme could start this autumn (From Thisisdorset)

£5m brewery scheme could start this autumn

9:30am Wednesday 10th February 2010

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WORK on a multi-million project to redevelop a Dorset brewery could start this autumn.

Brewery bosses at Hall and Woodhouse say they are in the final stages of a planning application for a new brewhouse costing some £5 million.

Proposals for the new brewery at the Bournemouth Road site in Blandford St Mary were first announced in 2006.

Some 156 houses, 34 flats, shops, and offices were first planned for the three-phase development, raising hopes that up to 300 jobs might be created.

Now brewery chiefs say they have entered the final round of planning negotiations with the district council for phase one of the project – a “21st century brewery”.

Vice chairman, Mark Woodhouse, said the multi-million pound investment in a new brewhouse would secure the company’s future at its Blandford St Mary site for generations to come.

“Hall and Woodhouse has been brewing Badger ales for over 225 years and this development means we will be doing so for many more generations to come.

“An investment of this magnitude demonstrates our ongoing commitment to brewing in Blandford and to the continued growth of our premium bottled and cask ales.”

He thanked North Dorset District Council for its “constructive support” for the new development.

Outline planning permission for the development was first granted in October 2007.

But the collapse of the economy led to prolonged negotiations between the brewer and the council over the value of their contribution to community projects.

Commercial director, David French, said the creation of housing at the site was still on the brewery’s agenda, but added that its focus was on opening its new drinks plant.

He said the firm would be applying for full planning permission in the “not too distant future”.

Production at the new plant is hoped to begin in autumn 2011.

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