A COMPANY has begun demolition work as part of proposals to build new affordable homes.

Clipper Teas, owned by Wessanen UK, has started demolishing part of its site at Beaminster Business Park in the first phase of its factory redevelopment.

In January, the company was given the green light by West Dorset District Council to extend and consolidate its factory on the south part of its site on Broadwindsor Road. The firm also received outline planning permission to demolish its current buildings on the north site and develop 45 homes, including affordable housing provision.

Two buildings are being dismantled and a new roadway is being constructed to gain access into the site.

This first development phase is expected to take around five weeks to complete.

Contractors will monitor noise levels, working hours, safety and security to try and keep disruption to local residents to a minimum during the work.

Mark Bagwell, operations director at Wessanen UK, said: “We are delighted to be building a state-of-the-art, centre of excellence here in Beaminster.

"We are entering into the next exciting development for Clipper Teas, securing our longevity on the site for many years to come”.

Seen as a major milestone in the redevelopment, the demolition is the start of an expansion for the business which will see the ethical tea brand dramatically increase its capacity and capability at the site.

As part of the expansion, three new tea bagging machines have been commissioned to further support the growth of the Clipper Teas brand in Europe.

The firm hopes to fully occupy the new building by the end of the year and have completely vacated the north side of the site to make way for the housing development.

A section 106 agreement between the district council and the company means that at least 35 per cent of the 45 homes must be affordable housing, of which 70 per cent must be affordable rented units.