A COMPANY has been given the go-ahead to increase the number of dormitories for overseas workers on a farm near Framlingham.

Richard Smith

A COMPANY has been given the go-ahead to increase the number of dormitories for overseas workers on a farm near Framlingham.

Richard Western Ltd applied to Suffolk Coastal District Council to retain two dormitories and to build another two dormitories at Durbans Farm, High Road, Framlingham.

The company owns a factory in Lithuania which produces trailers and staff regularly visit Framlingham to work.

The proposals were contrary to Local Plan policy but planning officers said the buildings were at an established agricultural engineering business, there were already significant industrial buildings on the site and it did not have the character of open countryside.

The company said it was necessary to bring workers from Lithuania to Framlingham for training and retraining, and to help during busy periods.

“After initial training, it was found advantageous to rotate the Lithuanian workforce from time to time,” it said.

“This helps maintain high standards in the Lithuanian factory, it also helps keep the UK workforce employed during quiet periods in the agricultural cycle by sending Lithuanian staff home.

“It is very difficult to find short-term accommodation for these workers, there are often language difficulties and they can feel isolated when not living together on the same site.

“If permission is refused it will have serious adverse consequences for the Framlingham operations - the housing of these workers would involve up to a 60-mile round trip each day.”

Framlingham Town Council has also supported the plans.