Sonae’s original flaker hall was destroyed in last year’s major fire at the chipboard factory. The company took the decision to rebuild, constructing a smaller flaker hall without planning permission in order to speed up the return to production.
Knowlsey Metropolitan Borough Council’s planning committee voted 14-4 in favour of the company’s retrospective application.
Sonae expressed frustration that local MP George Howarth had publicly called for objections against the application.
Sonae recently embarked on a 90-day consultation with Knowsley’s 220 workers over a possible closure of the factory.
The company said it had been unable to reach agreement with planners about installing new cleaning equipment for recycled wood that was vital for the factory.
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