THE CREATION of a state-of-the art jam factory and nearly 250 homes in Tiptree will provide a major boost to people living in the area, a senior planning chief has claimed.

Four applications submitted by Wilkin & Sons, one of north Essex’s best known firms, were given outline planning permission by Colchester Borough Council on Thursday.

Planners took just one hour to give their backing to the project which is expected to secure 300 jobs and potentially create 500 more in the future.

The £25million development includes plans for a new 13,000sq m factory, 244 homes, 4.5hectares of open space, allotments and cycle paths.

The borough council’s portfolio holder for planning, Tim Young, said: “I am delighted that the planning committee approved the application – it is very important to Tiptree and the Borough of Colchester that Wilkin stayed here.

“I think they are almost doubling their workforce so that is important in terms of jobs and stability – it is really good news.”

Among the 244 houses and flats which have been proposed, 16 will be sold as affordable homes.

Earlier in the year there were fears that the company would need to move if planning permission was not granted for the homes, which will offset the cost of the new factory.

But those fears have now been allayed because of the council’s decision.

Mr Young added: “The company staying here is the best news of all – there is widespread support for this.

“The plans had to be right, they worked very well with the borough council and and I think we are all looking forward to seeing the development going ahead.”

A spokesman for Wilkin & Sons added: “We appreciate all the support we’ve had from the village of Tiptree.

“Trying to balance the needs of a growing business with the best interests of a village has not been easy but the support and advice we’ve had at every stage has been invaluable to us.”

The company has not yet released a timeline of when work can be expected to start on the site but it is hoped workmen could be visible by the end of the year.