Arla receives approval for UK dairy project

Swedish-Danish cooperative Arla Foods has been granted planning permission by Aylesbury Vale district council to build a £150m ($232.38m) dairy in Buckinghamshire, UK.

Once operational, the 24ha dairy will be able to process and package up to 1.3 billion litres of fresh milk a year.

Arla Foods UK CEO Peter Lauritzen said that the new facility will help Arla achieve its growth ambitions in the UK.

"In addition to being one of the largest construction projects in the UK, our flagship building will also be the world’s first zero-carbon dairy," Lauritzen added.

The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2012, and will create 700 new jobs as well as contribute £20m ($30.98m) a year in wages to the local economy.

The company is privately funding the project.