The serial entrepreneur behind a planned industrial development in a Derbyshire village says it could provide space for up to 780 jobs.
Roger Hartshorn, who made his millions in PVC windows, wants to extend Denby Hall Business Park, 10 miles north of Derby, onto former mining land.
He wants to put up three big manufacturing units – including one for his own aluminium extrusion plant – on the 175-acre site.
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He said around 700 of the jobs there would be new.
A planning decision is expected from Amber Valley Borough Council at the end of the month, with council officers recommending it be given the go-ahead subject to things like investment in the local community, travel monitoring and long-term maintenance of land to the west of the site.
Mr Hartshorn said the reclaimed open cast site is designated as green belt, but said the need for local jobs should take precedent.
The borough council has received dozens of objections to the scheme ranging from concerns over the scale of the development and loss of countryside to its impact on public footpaths, additional traffic, and the effect on the natural environment and species such as kingfisher and reptiles living there.
Mr Hartsorn was one of the founders of Eurocell Plc, a national manufacturer and supplier of uPVC windows, doors, rooflines and other products, based at Alfreton.
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He made millions selling his share in Eurocell in 2003, and bought into a business he was previously involved in called HL Plastics, before cashing in his share in that in 2015.
He is now concentrating on a new venture – Garnalex (Garner Aluminium Extrusions) – which he has invested £12 million in, creating 80 new jobs along the way.
It manufactures and supplies aluminium extrusions for customers including Eurocell and HL Plastics and plans to expand into the new business park.
HL Plastics and another company called LB Plastics are planning to take the other two units.
Mr Hartsorn, who was born and bred in Denby, said: “I own around 200 acres of land on the disused colliery site and want to build a 350,000 sq ft building for our company which is going to cost £15 million, along with a 200,000 sq ft building for HL Plastics and a 75,000 sq ft building for LB Plastics.
“In total it’s something like 780 jobs, including about 700 new jobs over the next four years.
“Up until the 1980s it was a slag heap, then in the 80s and 90s an open cast mine, and I use the land for farming, but it’s not goo farm land.
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“There was an initial concern that it was too close to houses, so we’ve changed the scheme and moved it around.
“We’ve changed lots of it to please the planners.
“We’ve also spent a lot of money creating this new aluminium company, that has helped the economy.”
The existing Denby Hall Business Park was launched just over a decade ago and now has 10 industrial buildings and is home to firms including SC Johnson, HL Plastics, Tarpey Harris and Lockwood Haulage, employing around 700 people.
A country park element to the extension would be the size of 45 football pitches.
If given the go-ahead, the industrial park extension would allow Mr Hartshorn to expand Garnalex, employing more people and adding new equipment to increase production.
He has already invested heavily in new machinery for Garnalex, taking delivery of a state-of-the-art aluminium press from Germany.
Mr Hartshorn said: “In 2018 the 海角视频 consumed 190,000 tons of aluminium extrusions, but only 110,000 tons of this was produced in the 海角视频.
“The huge benefit we will have is speed of response to supply customers from a 海角视频 source from the highest quality, latest technology SMS low energy plant, within an industry and a customer base that we have supplied for over 30 years.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to continue to remain in Derbyshire. The Amber Valley region in particular is already a successful location for innovation and development in manufacturing and we’ve been lucky enough to attract some of the best people in the area to join the team.”