Factory approval will bring jobs

Drax Power Station will supply the plant with a gypsum by-product

Plans to expand a plasterboard factory in North Yorkshire have got the go-ahead - bringing as many as 140 new jobs to the area.

British Gypsum's proposal to nearly double the size of its plant at Sherburn-in-Elmet have been approved by Selby Council's planning committee.

Building the UK's first plasterboard factory for 15 years will cost more than £50m, the firm said.

Most recruitment will be early in 2006, six months before the plant opens.

Housing policies

British Gypsum said they expected the expansion would double its current 75-strong workforce and create nearly as many jobs in other businesses nearby.

Company chairman John Colley said government housing policies were creating extra demand for plasterboard.

"The Sherburn plant will ensure British Gypsum can meet customer demand," he said.

The firm currently makes fire safety products and coving on the site, near the A1(M) and M62 motorways.

The extension has been designed to use a gypsum by-product from the nearby Drax power station.