A TREDEGAR business has been given permission to expand its premises in a move which could bring 150 jobs to the area.

Eurocaps had submitted plans to extend a warehouse and a production area at its base on Crown Business Park.

Other proposals include a new changing room facility, a canopy linking new and existing facilities and 60 additional car parking spaces.

And Blaenau Gwent council’s planning committee unanimously approved the plans at a meeting on Wednesday.

Planning officer Eirlys Hallett told councillors that Eurocaps had acquired another building on the site, along with its car parking facilities, since submitting the application.

“There is quite a strong possibility that they won’t be building a warehouse in the immediate future,” said Ms Hallett.

“They’ve kept it on the application, so they’ve got permission should they every require it.”

Eurocaps, which supplies the nutrional supplement market with non-gelatine ‘softgel’ capsules, told the council that an increased market demand for its products led to the proposals.

The firm had also said that if the plans were approved, then the expanded venture would create around 150 jobs over the next five years.

Ms Hallet said that 224 people are currently employed by Eurocaps, adding: “They are hoping that 75 of those 150 jobs will be appointed in the next 12 months, and they are already recruiting.”

Labour councillor David Wilkshire, who moved for approval, said: “I welcome this, it’ll bring jobs. It’s in an industrial area and wouldn’t cause any issues.”