PLANS to demolish factory buildings in a conservation area, which are part of a food ingredients company have been put forward.

EDME, which has been in Mistley for more than 130 years, has submitted fresh plans to Tendring Council to demolish the factory's boiler house and stand-by generator house.

Planning permission for the demolition of the same buildings was granted in 2012, together with the construction of a new warehouse and provision of associated access.

However, the consent was not implemented and lapsed.

A cover letter from EDME, lodged to Tendring Council's planning portal, said: "As with the previous planning permission, the boiler house and stand-by generator house are to be demolished.

"The chimney and the packaging department building are to be retained and the south laboratory is to be substantially retained."

EDME is used for the purpose of food processing - and the existing buildings present a safety concern and cannot be retained within an operational site where hygiene is of critical importance.

The site is in a conservation area, but the buildings planned for demolition are not listed.

The letter added that the boiler house is not of "historical interest or significance".

Last November, EDME submitted plans to relocated four miles away to Horsely Cross, on land next to the A120.

The Mistley site is 3.5 acres and employs 55 staff, whereas the new space would be ten acres in total for the factory and parking - and there would also be space for business units.

Once vacant, the Mistley factory would be sold, but the iconic chimney is listed and would be protected.

EDME makes flakes and flours from locally-grown grain as well as products using seeds and pulse which are sold across the country and abroad.

Tendring Council has the final say on the plans.