A MAJOR employer has warned that a proposed housing development will threaten its future expansion plans.

Westler Foods, at Amotherby, near Malton, employs 250 people and is the country's leading manufacturer of hot dogs.

The company has recently invested more than £200,000 in a new warehouse and distribution centre and more than £1m in new plant and equipment. It plans to spend a further £1.5m in a redevelopment programme. But company officials are concerned that plans to knock down nearby Bentley's Garage to build houses will threaten their business because of potential noise complaints.

Managing director Henry Breese said: "This is a busy site, already operating from 5am to 10pm five days a week and on Saturday mornings, creating a lot of activity and noise.

"We are sure that there will be regular objections by the residents to this noise, especially at night. If these objections lead to restrictions being placed on our daily activity, it will be detrimental both to our business and employment prospects in the area."

The housing application was deferred recently by planners at Ryedale District Council while the results of an independent noise report are received. Previous reports have indicated that the site was noisy.

But council planning officer Paul Simpson said: "Westler's is designated a safeguarded industrial area due to its economic importance."