Plans for a £10 million expansion project creating 40 jobs were today unveiled by a Selby chemicals factory.

But bosses at Hodgson Chemicals warned that the exciting scheme could be torpedoed if council planners give the go-ahead for new leisure facilities on nearby land.

Managing director Steve Good told the Evening Press today that the investment would create 40 skilled "quality" jobs with an average salary of £18,000.

Plans include a new global technical service centre for leather manufacture and extra production capacity.

Mr Good also revealed they had submitted a detailed feasibility study to Swiss parent company Clariant, recommending further major development of the Bawtry Road site.

But he added that a key factor in attracting this continuing investment was having available land on the outskirts of the town.

He said plans for a new bowling centre and roller-skating rink in a warehouse off Bawtry Road would pose a real threat to future investment.

"Approval of the bowling alley plans would severely prejudice the development and long-term existence of the business at Selby," said Mr Good.

"Surely no one would want to jeopardise the prospect of Selby gaining so many skilled manufacturing jobs in the near future."

The bowling centre application will go before the councils' planning committee tomorrow - and planners are recommending approval.

The planners' report argues that the proposed bowling centre site is close to the town centre, making it accessible by public transport, and that no other suitable sites are available.

Mr Good said: "We want the planners and the Health and Safety Executive to take into account our future plans before the council makes its decision."

Selby MP John Grogan today stepped into the row in a last-minute attempt to broker a deal.

He faxed council chiefs today asking them to defer the £500,000 bowling centre application so that Hodgson bosses could discuss the issue with the HSE.

Mr Grogan said: "I'm very anxious that Hodgsons, who have been in Selby 100 years, and David Wardle, the man behind the leisure scheme, both get a fair deal.

"Mr Wardle has told me he would be prepared to look at alternative sites, provided they are commercially viable."

Updated: 11:56 Tuesday, June 26, 2001