A manufacturer has been given the go-ahead to bring around 70 jobs to East Kent after switching production from China.

Dover council has given Multipanel UK permission to build a factory at Millyard Way in Eythorne on the site of the former Tilmanstone colliery. The council approved change of use of the land to allow general industrial use and other associated works. The major planning application was determined within eight weeks, ahead of the national 13-week target for an application of this type.

The Exeter-based company says that capital investment in the next two years should be around £12.5m, with about 70 jobs directly or indirectly created.

Multipanel specializes in the manufacture of aluminium panels which are widely used in the signage and commercial construction industries. The company previously sourced them from China.

Council leader Paul Watkins welcomed the decision. “We are very pleased to have worked with Multipanel, and we welcome this move, and the boost it will bring to the district in terms of employment and the benefits to the local supply and support chain. This is another significant business investment in Dover District, and another key sign of ever-growing investor confidence in the area.”

Andrew Cock, Multipanel UK managing director who founded the firm in 2005, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring our manufacturing process back to the UK and particularly to Dover which has excellent transport links to UK and mainland Europe. We hope our policy of purchasing materials and services locally will show our commitment to the area and build other support industries around us as we grow.”

Mr Cock said earlier this year that the move would give the company greater control over its products and would mean it could also produce one-off products much more quickly, “resulting in a better service to our customers.”

Multipanel products are sold in more than 40 countries, including the United States where it has a warehouse in Chicago. As well as serving Europe and Australia, the company is targeting economies in Africa, Eastern Europe and South America.