Amazon's plans to create 350 jobs in Staffordshire poised for approval

Amazon bosses wants to expand the company's 700,000 sq ft centre in Rugeley under proposals expected to create 350 permanent jobs.

Plans to create the extra jobs were announced back in June.

More than 600 workers are currently based at the site which also takes on hundreds of temporary workers at busy times of the year such as Christmas.

Officers at Cannock Chase Council have recommended the plans for approval when they go before the planning control committee, which meets on Wednesday.

Brereton and Ravenhill Parish Council has lodged an objection on the basis of the proximity of the site to existing homes.

The authority has claimed that consent should not be granted without a noise assessment and a visual impact assessment.

But environmental officers say they have been satisfied that noise arising from the proposal will not adversely impact neighbours, according to the report which will be put before planning chiefs next week.

Officers have also said a visual impact assessment was not necessary and the site is about 164ft from the nearest homes.

The scheme involves creating a new entrance and extra car parking spaces.

A new roundabout would also be created as well as a new bus stop.

Interior alterations will be made inside so more items can be housed at the centre before they are sent out to customers.

The planning report reads: "The application seeks planning permission for external alterations to the existing warehouse, amendments to the circulation arrangements, in addition to alterations to both employee car parking and lorry parking and overall access arrangements.

"This proposal will allow the proposed growth to 2015, with the potential further growth beyond, if appropriate.

In February Amazon created more than 300 permanent positions.

"In order to facilitate the increase in production on site, Amazon would like to improve the existing vehicle circulation arrangements on site in addition to providing additional, improved parking for both cars and lorries, along with a new gate house and toilet and shower facilities for lorry drivers."

The report said the development represented a 'significant investment' into the Amazon site which will allow the business to expand.

It added: "The development is also likely to result in the creation of more new jobs in the council area over the next few years."

Amazon opened its Rugeley centre in September 2011.