Coleford firm SPP Pumps is set for an ambitious £9 million expansion that will create 50 new jobs.

The Forest firm is bucking the national trend and hoping to nearly double the size of its factory.

Next week planners will consider their application to build a massive new £5 million test centre, a large extension and new three storey office block at the Mushet Industrial Park in Coleford.

Site director Terry Newby said it is all part of a five year plan that will safeguard the existing 170 jobs and create new ones.

"We are looking for slow and steady growth and to increase our head count by about 50 by 2017," he said.

"Space is limited and I did look at other land in the Forest, but we are staying in Coleford.

"It's a good area and a good workforce. It's not a large labour pool so it would be difficult if we wanted rapid growth, but we take on our own apprentices and train them."

The Coleford factory makes specialist pumps for the oil, gas and water industries and needs a new test centre because customers are now asking for much larger pumps.

At 22 metres high, the new test centre will be taller than other buildings on the industrial estate and be big enough for a large crane to lift the giant pumps in and out of a 15 metre deep pit containing well over a million litres of water.

A large extension and canopy will be added to the second factory and the old offices will be demolished and replaced with a modern three storey building with conference and training facilities.

The development will be in three phases, starting with the test centre next year and finishing with the offices.

He says the company is doing well despite the tough economic climate because it concentrated on exports to emerging markets.

It has recently won a £2.2 million contract with a Chinese oil company and a £4.6 million contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries to supply pumps for Quad, a major offshore oil project.

Mr Newby believes the major investment being planned by the Indian parent company shows faith in the future of the Coleford operation.

"It's similar to Jaguar and Land Rover, who both have Indian parents and are doing well," he said.

"I think Indian parents take a longer term view than English and American companies."

Although the test centre will be seen from the golf course and the cycle track, officials are recommending approval of the new development, which also includes 55 extra parking spaces.

"The site is an existing business situated within an industrial estate and the purpose of the proposal is to improve the facilities on the site and enable the growth and long term future of the enterprise," said the report.