About 60 jobs could be created in Westbury after plans for a butter factory were submitted to Wiltshire Council.

Arla Foods, which became a shareholder in Westbury Dairies with First Milk and Milk Link in September last year, wants to move its butter production from Settle in North Yorkshire and Götene in Sweden to the Northacre Industrial Park.

The firm has now submitted a planning application for a butter making and packing factory in Stephenson Road, which will increase the size of the factory site by 36 per cent.

If successful, Arla Foods wants to make butter at the site by August and the firm is looking to use local contractors and labourers where possible.

Westbury Dairies is already a major employer in the area, with 82 full time and one part-time workers at present. The proposed factory would bring in 60 extra jobs.

Andy West, site manager at Westbury Dairies, said: “It is good news that by building a dedicated butter-making and packing facility for retail products, Arla is able to create about 60 new jobs at the site. It is our plan that the jobs will be offered locally.

“It is also good news that we are able to consolidate our own label butter requirements into one site, as it will enhance our environmental credentials in line with our carbon reduction strategy.

“The consolidation will also allow us to significantly reduce food miles and will reinforce Arla’s commitment to the UK.

“Due to the low height of the new building, the proposals cannot be seen from Westbury town itself and will be barely visible from surrounding roads and properties due to the existing landscaping.”

The firm said the main reason for the move is to reduce transport costs, which in turn will lower its carbon footprint, as well as develop the potential of the Westbury site.

Westbury Town Council’s highways, planning and development committee has supported the application.

A decision on the proposal is likely to be made by Wiltshire Council before mid-March.