A MAJOR employer near Auchinleck has unveiled plans to create more jobs as part of a £50 million investment project.

Wood products firm EGGER has lodged a 'proposal of application notice' with East Ayrshire Council for the expansion of its site on the Barony Road.

The company says it wants to add a state-of-the-art production line to its Barony site and to create 35 new jobs in the area.

EGGER's Barony plant opened in 1998 and has seen multiple investments in the site, including an £8m wood processing recycling plant and £4m biomass energy plant to reduce CO2 emissions and gas consumption, along with a purpose-built apprentice training facility.

READ MORE: Watchdog monitors 'heavy chemical' emissions at Barony site

The company now hopes to invest further with the recent submission of a proposal of application notice to East Ayrshire Council.

EGGER says it hopes to submit a formal planning application to the local authority this summer.

The proposal of application notice details plans to extend the plant with the addition of a building which will house up to three lamination lines, as well as space to support new advanced manufacturing.

This means that raw chipboard currently produced on site can be upgraded to Eurodekor Faced Chipboard, a process currently undertaken at the company's plant at Hexham in Northumberland.

READ MORE: Auchinleck EGGER staff take part in company's January charity challenge

EGGER says it hopes the expansion can support Barony’s continued growth, the local economy and add to the ongoing employment opportunities.

The additional building will be located on the left hand side as you approach the plant from the road.

It will have the capacity to house up to three lamination lines in the future as well as provide additional warehouse and storage space.

In order to accommodate the building, the existing log yard will be relocated to the back of the site.

As part of the application process, EGGER is consulting the wider public on its plans to bring forward an updated five-year vision.

Two detailed drop-in sessions will take place in May at EGGER's Barony Road site.

These will take place on Wednesday, May 3 and Wednesday May 17, both from 3pm until 7pm.

Members of the project team will be available to guide the local community through the proposals and see how the plant operates.

If you'd like to attend, EGGER asks that you contact Kirsty O’Brien at kirsty.obrien@invictapa.co.uk to confirm when you plan to pay a visit.

READ MORE: EGGER's Barony expansion to create more jobs in Auchinleck

Speaking about the planned expansion, Heiko Lichtblau, plant director technical/production at EGGER, said: “We are delighted to be in a position to grow our plant with a refreshed vision for the next five years.

"Over the last 25 years, EGGER has ensured that continuous investment into our operations at Barony has helped to increase production and create new jobs in the local area.

“We are committed to our Barony plant, and value our ongoing discussions with local residents.

"The positive relationships we have built with our neighbouring communities shows that they share our wish to see Barony flourish further.

"As always, we value our engagement and relationships with the local community and East Ayrshire Council and we are looking forward to fully consulting them on our plans.”

For more information about the proposed plans at EGGER Barony, visit their website.