THE largest manufacturer of fresh goat cheese in the UK is planning to build a new factory in Blaenavon after being hit by a major fire this year.

Firefighters spent four hours tackling the blaze at Abergavenny Fine Foods on the Gilchrist Thomas Industrial Estate in the heritage town on July 5.

Fire chiefs said the unit had been “severely damaged” and planning documents show that the factory shut down as a result.

Now, the company - which has employed up to 200 staff in Blaenavon - is planning to demolish the food processing unit and build a new one on the same site.

Torfaen planning department is recommending the plans for approval despite concerns about the site being situated near the entrance to a mine.

Company boss Melanie Bowman said she was confident Abergavenny Fine Foods would come back “better and stronger” if councillors approve the plans on Tuesday.

The managing director said: “We hope to have the main part of our operation up and running in the new facility by May 2016. This is obviously subject to planning consent.

"We are building for the future, with space set aside for expansion, and we hope to be fully operational by autumn 2016 in this new site.

“Our aim is to deliver an efficient and environmentally sound factory which provides flexibility of product deliverability and innovation, as well as an enhanced environment for our staff and customers.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to our staff and customers for their continued support and understanding during what has been a difficult period for the company.

“We are totally confident that Abergavenny Fine Foods will come back even better and stronger."

Planning documents show that the new factory in Blaenavon would have an extension and mezzanine, new roofing and additional parking.

A new Torfaen council report on the plan states: “Abergavenny Fine Foods is the UK’s largest manufacturer of fresh goat’s cheese, and has been operating in Blaenavon since 2007.

“The fire extensively damaged the unit and as such the factory has shut down.”

The Coal Authority objected to the application on the basis that there is a mine entrance on the site, the planning documents show.

However Torfaen planning department said the scheme involved the replacement of a damaged building in the same position as the previous one, albeit with a slight increase in footprint, and considers planning permission should be granted.