What a lot of questions, I'm not sure I know all the answers, I hope to find out more when they have the public exhibition later this month.
1. If they get the go ahead from the council for the housing + factory package I am totally sure the new factory will be built just a little further from where it is now. In the 1980's the Wilkin family who started and solely owned the business, past it's ownership, in trust, to it's employees, it is not part of any other group. More about this can be found on their history pages. They have for many years supported the village in so many ways.
2. I don't know the answer to that, but I do know they will do everything they possibly can to stay in the village. I'm sure this has been considered/offered.
3. Yes the new factory would have to be built before the old one is pulled down (some parts of the old factory may be listed and remain I suspect.) Tiptree jam is wholly mad e from fresh fruit, so it has to be a seasonal on going process, to pull down the old factory (their is only one factory) before the new one is ready would be impossible.
FYI, the existing factory is right at the edge of the village, their is already housing adjacent to it.