A major multinational company based in Bury St Edmunds has confirmed its intention to remain in the town as it leaves its old home of more than four decades.
Vitec Videocom, which employs around 170 people in Bury, is seeking permission to relocate its whole Suffolk operation to four business units in Anglian Lane, near the A14.
The company, which manufactures television camera equipment, has a global turnover of more than £300m and operates in 10 countries including Singapore, China, Germany, Costa Rica and the USA.
According to a report prepared for members of St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s development control committee, Vitec’s Bury St Edmunds operation is a “significant” part of the business.
“The proposed move by Vitec to the vacant units in Anglian Lane allows Vitec to keep their operation within the town, thereby continuing to offer employment to their local employees,” said the report prepared by planners, who have recommended the application be approved.
Vitec, previously known as Vinten, has been based at the William Vinten factory on Western Way since 1964
However, earlier this year it was announced the firm was due to vacate the building in a deal with West Suffolk College that would see the college use the former factory site as a £7million engineering and innovation centre of excellence.
Although indicating Vitec would remain in the town, there had been no official confirmation of this, nor where it was intending to move.
However, the planning application does confirm the company’s intention to retain its place in Bury.
An objection to the scheme has been voiced by the borough’s mayor Julia Wakelam, who said the proposed hours of working would “not be acceptable to residents” near to the Anglian Lane site, adding research work on the application had not taken account of the proximity of homes to the site.
While acknowledging this was an issue and also pointing to a possible lack of parking spaces at the new site, St Edmundsbury’s planning department said the site could be suitably controlled “so as not to adversely impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents or raise concerns”.
While unable to comment specifically on this application, as it is still subject to a final decision, St Edmundsbury leader John Griffiths said: “In general, we’re very keen for much valued companies to stay in Bury St Edmunds and indeed to attract more from elsewhere.”
The committee meeting takes place at 10am on July 7 at West Suffolk House.
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