MP calls for talks on future of Arla’s Settle site

Sir Julian told a meeting of North Yorkshire Council that he had been focussing on saving jobs, but now that Arla had made its decision to close, it was the time to look at the future of the site.

Arla said in April that it would be moving its Settle operations to its site in Lockerbie. It estimated that would take around 18 months to two years, and during the transition period would ‘remain open to exploring alternative uses’ for the site, which occupies a large space at Sowarth Field Industrial estate.

At the Skipton and Ripon area meeting of North Yorkshire Council, asked about the Settle creamery, which employs 128 people, Sir Julian said he, the Mayor of North Yorkshire and stakeholders had worked very hard to save the plant.

“It seems that is not going to be possible. Despite the fact that Arla is a co-operative of farmers, it does not seem to be open to the very strong case that we were making and the offers of support we were showing,” he said.

Sir Julian added that he had received a letter from Arla saying it would like to discuss the site.

“I was not not wanting to give up on the losing of jobs, but they (Arla) have made it very clear that they are intending to move, so we should start a conversation with them about use of the site,” he said.

Sir Julian was also asked about plans to close Grassington sorting office, which the meeting heard was also likely to go ahead.

Committee chair, Cllr Richard Foster, who represents Upper Wharfedale, said the Post Office was ‘adamant’ it would close.

Sir Julian said: “The Post Office is of the view that deliveries in the Grassington area will not be affected and that delivery and leaving of the local post office would be an adequate alternative.”

The union, he said, seemed to think it was a ‘done deal’.

Sir Julian added he thought there would be issues during the winter. “Its all very well saying this can be covered adequately from Skipton, but I do think there will be implications in times of poor weather.”

Royal Mail has said it plans to move the Grassington sorting office to the larger, dedicated delivery office in Skipton where there are better facilities.

Cllr Foster told the meeting he did not think there would be any point in getting someone from Royal Mail to a meeting of the committee,

“It is a decision that has been made. We are not happy about it, but (Royal Mail) is a business and it has been a business decision,” he said.