Plans for a £6 million investment aimed at securing the Ribena factory in Coleford as a key regional employer have been deferred. The Royal Forest Factory, owned by Lucozade Ribena Suntory and located on Rock Lane, is one of the company’s largest sites in Europe, producing around a billion bottles annually.
The factory plays a crucial role in the company’s “grow for good” sustainability initiative. The latest proposal involves eliminating reliance on an aging on-site gas turbine by establishing a new electricity connection. On May 13, these plans were reviewed by the Forest of Dean District Council.
The scheme includes constructing a substation building, a compound, and two transformers adjacent to the factory. This new electrical plant would operate 24/7, aiming to replace the existing gas turbine, which is the factory’s largest natural gas consumer but nearing the end of its service life and becoming less reliable.
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Designers emphasized the substation’s flexibility, allowing for future integration of renewable energy sources. Primary access to the development would be from Rock Lane to the north, with a secondary entrance through an existing road serving the factory’s car park.
Consultants confirmed that the proposed cable route would follow the highway, minimizing visual and environmental impacts. National Grid assured that the local electricity network would remain unaffected during construction, with the connection tailored to the factory’s operational needs.
At the council meeting, initial concerns were raised regarding lighting and noise, but Cllr. Clive Elsmore reported these were addressed by planning conditions. Cllr. Ian Whitburn stressed the factory’s importance as a major local employer and highlighted challenges faced due to power outages from the broader grid, which this development could help mitigate. He also suggested additional tree planting to improve the site’s aesthetics.
Although officers recommended granting delegated permission, the applicant requested a deferral to accommodate further information expected from National Grid. During discussions, Cllr. Simon Phelps humorously noted the absence of any blackcurrant bushes on site, and Cllr. Beth Llewellyn raised concerns about a well-established hawthorn tree, suggesting potential adjustments to access routes to preserve it.
Officers agreed to investigate the necessity of the tree’s removal. Ultimately, the committee voted unanimously to defer the decision. The planning application is anticipated to return for consideration at the next meeting in June.