A company named one of the best in Britain is set to create more than 150 new jobs if its plans for new facilities are approved.

COOK wants to construct a new frozen and refrigerated logistics building at its Swale Way site on Sittingbourne’s Eurolink estate, which it says will allow it to continue to grow.

The firm has three sites in Sittingbourne as well as one in Gillingham, with 1,800 people employed at all its kitchens and retail shops across the country.

It makes frozen meals such as mac and cheese, chicken with mushrooms and bacon, pies with a range of fillings, slow-roasted meats, and hot and cold puddings like lemon tart and cherry bakewell.

COOK says the new development, which spans the size of almost five standard 11-a-side football pitches, will be an extension of its current production operation.

The 21-metre-tall warehouse will have 8,000 pallet spaces and frozen and chilled storage areas. The cost of the project has not been revealed.

Alongside the centre building, there will be an HGV yard with space for 20 delivery trucks, 15 vans, eight home delivery vehicles, and four lorries.

There are also more than 1,600 square metres of office space included in the proposals.

This will help create 25 office-based roles for managing storage, planning and distribution.

The other roles will range from warehouse operatives to drivers.

Also in the plans are 101 car parking spaces, including five disabled and 12 EV bays, as well as 42 bike and four motorcycle spaces.

COOK says the project will centralise its logistics operations and enable the “efficient storage and distribution of meals from their kitchens to shops and customers across the UK”.

It added it is “integral” to the company’s expansion and will allow it to meet “increasing demand and enhance operational efficiencies”.

Cllr Sarah Stephen, the vice chairman of Swale council’s economy and property committee, backs the plans.

She said: “The plans are good news as COOK’s are a real community asset for the town.

“They are good employers who give people who wouldn’t normally get jobs work such as ex-prisoners.

“As far as I am concerned there should be no issues with them building within their own site.”

For 10 years running, COOK’s team has been named as one of the top 100 best companies to work for in the country, as voted for by staff themselves.

Some of those employed there had previously told KentOnline that it is “the best company they've ever worked for”.

Some of the benefits include a day off on their birthday along with free meals, profit shares and a 30% staff discount.

COOK is certified by the Living Wage Foundation and shares a percentage of its profit with its employees every year.

It also offers employment support and training for those who’ve dealt with trauma, addiction, homelessness and prison with its award-winning RAW Talent scheme.

Swale council is set to make a decision on the scheme by Tuesday, May 27.