Plans have been announced to extend Dartington Crystal“s presence in Torrington, England – a move which will create new jobs.
The company has applied to Torridge District Council to extend its facto…
Plans have been announced to extend Dartington Crystal“s presence in Torrington, England – a move which will create new jobs. The company has applied to Torridge District Council to extend its factory shopping complex and build two additional galleries at its main site at Linden Close. Bosses at the glassmaking firm plan to invest between UK 750,000 and UK 1 million on the development and provide up to 45 jobs for people in Torrington. The factory, based in Torrington since 1967, attracts about 300,000 visitors to the area every year and it is anticipated new developments could help attract up to 200,000 extra visitors. If the plans are approved, building work will begin next year and the factory“s shopping space could be doubled by Easter 2001. Dartington reached agreement to take over the former AMP factory which closed last year, and contractors have been busy refurbishing the building. Dartington Crystal managing director Eric Dancer said the planning application was part of “a combination of things” being planned for the area. The district council recently approved planing permission for a new swimming pool near the complex. “The company remains wholly committed to the town,” said Dancer. “This proposed new development will bring further job opportunities and help contribute significantly to the economy of the town and its community.” Responding to fears, Dartington Crystal could benefit from unused land if the proposed new swimming pool fails to secure lottery money needed to build it, Dancer said: “I think we“ll wait and see what happens there. I“m not close enough to the swimming pool to be able to say. I see Dartington“s development as a wonderful opportunity for Torrington. We“re only doing more to expand a site which is already successful.” But Torrington town councillor Jon Rose said extra developments at the site would spoil views up the valley. “The whole area needs screening and Dartington Crystal should have trees along the side facing the Commons, said Rose. “Until this is done the whole site is an eyesore.” Dancer said the proposed developments did not look towards the Commons and would only feature buildings which were “no higher than existing buildings”. “The whole purpose of the planning application is to allow people to see publicly what“s proposed and give them the opportunity to support it or say they are against it,” added Dancer.