NESTLé is set to press ahead with plans for a £1 million-plus extension to its product technology centre in York – a move which looks likely to create new jobs.

The centre, in Haxby Road, is the company’s global research and development site for confectionery.

A spokesman said it currently employed 150 to 200 people, including engineers, technologists, confectioners, technicians and nutritionists, made up of more than 30 nationalities.

The Press revealed in January the company wanted to expand the centre, and it has now submitted an application to City of York Council for a “screening opinion” for the extension, which would study environmental issues and other aspects of the development prior to the submission of a planning application.

The spokesman said the extension was just one part of Nestlé’s continued investment in its York site and a further demonstration of the importance of the city to the company. He said the expansion would include new conference facilities, an expansion of office and pilot area, laboratories and meeting areas.

He said: “The investment is more than a million pounds and there is likely to be an increase in staff numbers. The expansion is likely to be completed in late 2012.”

He said the centre was involved in the development of new equipment and technologies, and of new or reformulated products, and also in the training and education of global Nestlé confectionery staff.

It also supported the building of new factories and lines. “Last year, they opened a new Kit Kat factory in Dubai,” he said.

Nestlé is already pressing ahead elsewhere on the York site with an extension to its Insight Centre, a “virtual supermarket, filling station and convenience store”, where confectionery products are displayed on shelving to help boost sales to retailers.

A £15 million investment in new and refurbished wafer ovens in the factory for its leading chocolate bar brand, Kit Kat, is also continuing.