THE gatehouse to the Lucozade Ribena Suntory factory is set to be more than doubled in size, despite one neighbour complaining that the access road is inadequate for the HGV lorries going in and out.

Bosses of the drinks giant applied to Forest Council planners to extend the entrance gatehouse at the Royal Forest Factory in Coleford, which has one of the biggest workforces in the region.

They said: “The existing gatehouse for the LRS factory facility at Rock Lane is a 1960s-built building which has the purpose of checking HGVs, contractors and visitors in and out of the facility and has an important security consideration to maintain.

“It is the first point of contact for anyone visiting the site and has a role to play in creating a positive first impression for visitors and clients.

“The current situation with regards to Covid 19 has prompted a review of the space available for working personnel and visitors with regards to safe passage in and out of the facility.

“With these factors in mind we are seeking permission to extend the gatehouse facility to provide more space for reception and security as well as a visually enhanced aesthetic to the exterior.”

Under the plan, the existing gatehouse in the centre of the access road will be extended 8.5m into the factory site, increasing the floorspace from 42sq m to 85sq m.

The application said: “This will allow the proposed new building to provide a larger reception area with separate entry and exit doors and a safer working space for the receptionist and security staff with screens provided.

“A separate room is also proposed with full IT to enable contractor inductions and to double as an emergency co-ordination centre on occasion of an emergency event in the main site.”

One neighbour objected, saying the factory had outgrown the access road, which was no longer suitable for the size and number of HGV lorries using it.

A planning report noted that the resident claimed: “The Highways Authority recently repaired it because the road had sunk badly and been severely damaged due to the weight of the lorries.

“The neighbour has an email from Highways agreeing that it is not suitable and would be very supportive of a new access road off the existing highway.”

The neighbour added that while the gatehouse was suitable years ago, lorries were now “much bigger and heavier”, causing queuing along Rock Lane.

But approving the scheme, a planning officer said: “Due to the proposal not resulting in an increase in the amount of lorries visiting the factory, it is determined that the proposed extensions and alterations to the gatehouse will not result in adverse harm.

“Also, the concerns raised regarding the suitability of the road is a separate matter that does not relate to this application.

“Given the modest structure of the proposed gatehouse, it is determined that no harm would result from the proposal in regards to being too dominant.

“Access for two vehicles either side of the building can still be provided, therefore any impact upon transport arrangements are unlikely.”