PLANNING Permission Has Been Given for a Staplehurst Tool Company to Build a New Factory

PLANNING permission has been given for a Staplehurst tool company to build a new factory. DK Holdings, which has operated in Staplehurst since the early 1960s, has been given the green light by Maidstone Borough Council planners, but work will only go ahead if supermarket giant Sainsbury's gets planning permission for a new store too. The company, which manufactures diamond abrasive tools and associated products, has agreed to see its present unit on Station Approach demolished in order to make way for the new supermarket and in return it would be moved to a new factory behind the proposed Sainsbury's. Managing Director of DK Holdings Brian Salter said: "This is a unique opportunity for our company but the new factory will only be built if planning permission is also granted for the new Sainsbury's store. "We would urge the council to make a decision on the new store as soon as possible to enable us to progress plans for the future of our business." Sainsbury's regional development executive Max Whitehand said: "We are really pleased that the council has approved part of our investment plan for the village." Source: thisiskent