A MALVERN company's scheme to relocate to a site just outside the town has taken a major step forward with the granting of planning permission.

Essential Supply Products - or ESP - announced last year that it was intending to move out of its current base at the Enigma Business Park, Malvern Link, onto a site at Blackmore park, close to the Three Counties Showground.

The company says that at the new site it can invest in facilities that will support the future development and expansion of the company.

ESP is described as one of the leading independent makers of disposable paper tissue products in the UK. Last year, it celebrated its 25th year in business.

The company currently employs about 50 people, and this is expected to increase by some 25 per cent in the next three to five years.

Just under a year ago, ESP submitted a formal planning application for the new site to Malvern Hills District Council. And now the council has decided to give it the green light.

Isla Buchanan, projects manager at ESP, said: "ESP are delighted to be progressing with the planning application for their new production, warehouse, and office facility at Blackmore Park.

"Remaining within the local area has always been a key consideration in the company’s expansion plans, and having outgrown their facilities at Enigma Business Park, the planned move to the new site will allow for consolidation of current facilities as well as space for expansion.

"In turn, this will not only safeguard the existing jobs, but will create new opportunities as the expansion continues. In expectation of the move and to underpin their continued growth, the company has already increased its workforce by 20 per cent over the last 18 months.

"Work on-site will be commence over the next few months and ESP are looking forward to seeing this stage of the project develop."

ESP's operation is currently split between two units in the Link and two at Throckmorton Airfield near Pershore. The new complex will replace all of these.

The Blackmore Park site was a military hospital during the Second World War and later became an industrial estate.

In 2006, ESP's warehouse at Enigma Park was destroyed in one of the largest fires seen in the town. However, the factory was unharmed.