THIRTY new jobs are soon to be become available locally as double glazing and conservatory manufacturers Glevum announce that they have now received planning consent for two new buildings on their Broadoak site.

The expansion of the company represents an investment of around £1m, which, as well as the jobs, will also accomodate apprentices.

At a meeting of the Forest of Dean Council's planning committee, all 15 members of the committee voted for the granting of planning permission – going against the recommendations of their officers, who had held out for permission to be refused.

During the meeting, councillors paid tribute to Cllr Norman Stephens, who had died suddenly the previous week. Glevum Managing Director Gary Jones later confirmed that one of the two new buildings was to be named after Cllr Stephens in his honour.

Mr Jones said: "I am overwhelmed by the unanimous vote, and I am elated that my business in Broadoak is being given this support."

He is also planning to invite formed glamour model Melina Messenger to the opening of the new buildings. She was a prominent part of the Glevum 'Class Behind Glass' advertising campaign a decade ago, which helped launch her career.

Glevum was set up 30 years ago by Mr Jones in Gloucester, on the site of the old Morelands Match Factory and the operation has been at Broadoak on the A48 since 2000.

Winners of the UK conservatory company of the year award, they claim to have 44,000 domestic customers in Gloucestershire alone.