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.”
Showing posts with label employment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label employment. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wrexham firm tackles ministers over way of generating ‘greener’ power
A COMPANY is at the cutting edge of the drive towards a “greener” economy and creating new jobs.
Bosses at Sharp in Llay are currently in talks with the UK Government on the wider use of energy-saving power systems, which would radically reduce Britain’s carbon footprint.
As a pioneer in the manufacture and supply of solar panels for the generation of electricity, the factory has just hosted a high-level visit by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband.
And a top Sharp executive has revealed that the company is now in discussions with Mr Miliband’s departmental colleague, Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, in his role as Under Secretary of State for Business and Regulatory Reform.Steve Crewe, Sharp’s human resources and general affairs manager, said: “The tariff system, which means that excess electricity generated by domestic solar panels is sold on to utility providers, is now in general use in a number of countries across Europe.
“Here at the Wrexham factory we build solar module panels and 95 per cent of what we produce is sold to continental Europe.
“However, there is an untapped market for panels in the UK and, hopefully, we could be at the cutting edge of filling that.”He added: “Sharp has had meetings with Mr Lucas to talk about developing this energy policy.”
Mr Lucas, who accompanied Mr Miliband on the visit to Sharp, said that one of the issues discussed was the Government’s publication of its low carbon industrial strategy.
The Under Secretary has pledged to work with Sharp and other companies to ensure that they can make the most of the opportunities the strategy provides.
He explained: “Helping the UK make the transition to a low-carbon economy really will provide real opportunities for businesses.
“The proof is right here in north east Wales, at companies such as Sharp.“I was among those who pushed to secure a PV cells production plant in Llay several years ago.
“In 2004, that plant had 400 workers – this year, the figure has doubled to 800. The factory is now one of the largest private sector employers in Wrexham. On Deeside, Toyota have secured jobs by working to produce new, greener cars.”
Mr Lucas added: “The Government’s low carbon industrial strategy will help cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change. But it will also secure and create jobs in producing and developing new technologies.
“It is hugely important we invest in these new technologies now – so we can work towards a greener future and so we can make sure we make the most of the new employment opportunities these new industries provide.”
Bosses at Sharp in Llay are currently in talks with the UK Government on the wider use of energy-saving power systems, which would radically reduce Britain’s carbon footprint.
As a pioneer in the manufacture and supply of solar panels for the generation of electricity, the factory has just hosted a high-level visit by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband.
And a top Sharp executive has revealed that the company is now in discussions with Mr Miliband’s departmental colleague, Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, in his role as Under Secretary of State for Business and Regulatory Reform.Steve Crewe, Sharp’s human resources and general affairs manager, said: “The tariff system, which means that excess electricity generated by domestic solar panels is sold on to utility providers, is now in general use in a number of countries across Europe.
“Here at the Wrexham factory we build solar module panels and 95 per cent of what we produce is sold to continental Europe.
“However, there is an untapped market for panels in the UK and, hopefully, we could be at the cutting edge of filling that.”He added: “Sharp has had meetings with Mr Lucas to talk about developing this energy policy.”
Mr Lucas, who accompanied Mr Miliband on the visit to Sharp, said that one of the issues discussed was the Government’s publication of its low carbon industrial strategy.
The Under Secretary has pledged to work with Sharp and other companies to ensure that they can make the most of the opportunities the strategy provides.
He explained: “Helping the UK make the transition to a low-carbon economy really will provide real opportunities for businesses.
“The proof is right here in north east Wales, at companies such as Sharp.“I was among those who pushed to secure a PV cells production plant in Llay several years ago.
“In 2004, that plant had 400 workers – this year, the figure has doubled to 800. The factory is now one of the largest private sector employers in Wrexham. On Deeside, Toyota have secured jobs by working to produce new, greener cars.”
Mr Lucas added: “The Government’s low carbon industrial strategy will help cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change. But it will also secure and create jobs in producing and developing new technologies.
“It is hugely important we invest in these new technologies now – so we can work towards a greener future and so we can make sure we make the most of the new employment opportunities these new industries provide.”
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Flintshire firm reassures staff after job rumours
By Laura Jones
BOSSES at a Flintshire-based food testing firm have moved to quash rumours that it is going into administration.
ALcontrol Laboratories on Hawarden Industrial Park has sent out letters to its 300 Flintshire employees, reassuring them the company is “OK”, following claims in the national press that administrators Zolfo Cooper had been lined up to move in.
Simon Gibbs, chief executive of ALcontrol, said the reports were “alarmist and untrue”.
He said: “We are a profitable company that is trading well and the forecast for the business is a positive one.
“We have hired Zolfo Cooper as corporate finance advisors, not as administrators.”
After a report was published this weekend, Mr Gibbs moved to reassure workers at the Hawarden-based laboratory that the company was “not in crisis".
“These stories scare people, but we want to reassure them that they have nothing to worry about,” he added.
“We have appointed corporate finance advisors for future planning and we are in negotiations with the banks – but we are still a stable and sound business.”
The company, which moved to Hawarden three years ago, tests soil, water, food, oil and air for contaminants or hazardous substances.
ALcontrol Laboratories has more than 2,000 employees in 30 laboratories and service centres, in 11 countries across Europe.
BOSSES at a Flintshire-based food testing firm have moved to quash rumours that it is going into administration.
ALcontrol Laboratories on Hawarden Industrial Park has sent out letters to its 300 Flintshire employees, reassuring them the company is “OK”, following claims in the national press that administrators Zolfo Cooper had been lined up to move in.
Simon Gibbs, chief executive of ALcontrol, said the reports were “alarmist and untrue”.
He said: “We are a profitable company that is trading well and the forecast for the business is a positive one.
“We have hired Zolfo Cooper as corporate finance advisors, not as administrators.”
After a report was published this weekend, Mr Gibbs moved to reassure workers at the Hawarden-based laboratory that the company was “not in crisis".
“These stories scare people, but we want to reassure them that they have nothing to worry about,” he added.
“We have appointed corporate finance advisors for future planning and we are in negotiations with the banks – but we are still a stable and sound business.”
The company, which moved to Hawarden three years ago, tests soil, water, food, oil and air for contaminants or hazardous substances.
ALcontrol Laboratories has more than 2,000 employees in 30 laboratories and service centres, in 11 countries across Europe.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)