Employment zone planned for derelict Flintshire ground

By Michael Youds

AMBITIOUS plans to transform derelict land into an employment zone could create up to 300 jobs.

Flintshire Council has submitted a planning application for a major development behind Spencer Industrial Estate, Globe Way, Buckley.

The council-owned land has been going to waste for years, and the plan is to attract new firms to the area by redeveloping the site into a state-of-the-art business park.

Buckley councillor Dennis Hutchinson is confident the project will be a success, despite the recession.

He said: “This scheme is all about job creation.“The access road has been there for some years now, and the idea is to attract interested companies who wish to relocate to the area.

“We’re not talking about heavy industry.

“It’s light industry and low and medium-tech companies that we’re hoping will come along and take up the offer.

“We’re looking for companies to come here with their own proposals and I think ultimately this could eventually create between 200-300 jobs.”

The application for outline planning permission shows the local authority wants to develop 1.8 hectares of land, with a further 2.4 hectares set aside for ‘ecological mitigation’.

Hardings Property Consultants, based in Bangor-on-Dee, is acting as the agent.

Asked about the timing of the project, with unemployment rising steeply in Flintshire, Cllr Hutchinson said: “There is never a perfect time to do something like this, but as far as I’m concerned it’s good to put this in place and then it’s there, ready to use.

“The land, which is adjacent to the Etna heritage park, isn’t conducive to housing – not that there’s a need for more houses.

“It has been earmarked for commercial development.

“No firms have committed to coming here so far, but that’s because we haven’t advertised it properly yet.”