THE future of the Kings Langley former Ovaltine factory hangs in the balance as Three Rivers District awaits the outcome of its application to have the building listed.

At the Abbots Langley Area Forum in Bedmond Village Hall last Thursday scores of residents went to hear a presentation by Mr Richard Whall, director of product supply of Novartis.

Mr Whall attended the meeting to explain to residents why Novartis decided to close the factory and sell the site and to discuss the future possibilities for the land that runs along Station Road once production stops in May 2002.

Councillor Chris Whately-Smith asked for assurances that housing would not be built on the site. He said: "What we need in this area is jobs, It has got to be jobs, please make sure it's jobs."

However, a spokesman for King Sturge, Novartis' Surveyors reiterated what Mr Whall has said previously that future plans for the site depend on the outcome of the district council's listing application.

If listing status was attained it could hamper plans by developers because it could mean the factory must remain on site, and would not be such an attractive plot of land.

The spokesman would not rule out that housing was a consideration, but said: "We cannot tell you whether the site will contain shops, warehouses, houses or factories, but the planning application has to be made so that it will pass."

Mr Mike Derbyshire, from Development Control at Three Rivers District Council, said: "As a planning authority we have a duty to consider listing.

"There is a general misconception about listing that it relates only to the architecture.

"What is important is the historical aspect of the building. We feel that the site is not just important locally but has a unique place in Hertfordshire and the UK.

"The heritage is unique. Everyone knows the Ovaltineys, which started in 1935, and the factory made Ovaltine for Red Cross soldiers in the Second World War.

"The factory therefore has an important place in the local and national psyche.

"We have made our case and it now rests with the Secretary of State. The listing will be critical in terms of whether buildings can be used again or not."

Mr Whall emphasised to a full village hall that Novartis would be attempting to take all the right steps in terms of staff, jobs, planning and environment throughout the closure process.

He said: "It is extremely important to us that we look after our people and we have put a comprehensive package in place for those that have been made redundant.

"We are also training them for jobs elsewhere and helping them with interview techniques, CV writing and financial advice.

"Regeneration of the site is crucial. We don't want the process to take years and for the site to lie in a state of deterioration - that would be disastrous for the community."

Mr Whall said so far there was a short list of 11 companies that were currently pursuing an interest in the site.

Residents at the meeting seemed keen on listing and enquiries were made from the floor about the possibility of keeping memorabilia from the factory.

Chairman of the district council Councillor Geoff Emery said he hoped that perhaps memorabilia could be given to a local history society in Kings Langley or Abbots Langley.

Mr Whall said: "We would like to find a scheme where we could keep it on display locally perhaps on a kind of permanent loan basis.

"We have been in contact with the local history societies and we would be delighted to have it display in some way."

November 6, 2001 10:30