Enterprise zone boost for ‘ghost’ Octel site
PLANT HAS BEEN EMPTY FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS
AN abandoned chemical plant on Anglesey left as a ghost site for nearly 20 years has been given an enterprise zone boost.
The Octel bromine works in Amlwch provided work in the town for over 50 years but was shut by Great Lakes in 2004.
Attempts to revive the site have failed and it has been empty since, with many of the buildings now lying derelict.
Now Welsh Government has added it to the Anglesey Enterprise Zone in a bid to regenerate the site. It will give it access to more grant support and also raise its profile as a potential investment site.
The north of the island has been hit by the withdrawal of Hitachi from the Wylfa Newydd nuclear development and the closure of Rehau plastics factory in Amlwch.
This has also seen the Llwyn Onn Industrial Estate, a 15 hectare site which was the home of Rehau’s operations on the island, become part of the zone.
The two additions follow advice from the Anglesey Enterprise Zone’s Advisor Board.
Minister for Economy and North Wales Ken Skates said: “This will be a boost for the economy of north Anglesey, an area which has faced many challenges recently with the closure of Rehau and uncertainty over Wylfa. We know the area continues to benefit from a skilled workforce as well as the potential for development on these two sites. Having the backing of the Enterprise zone will help to attract investment opportunities and improve infrastructure. It will also contribute to levelling up the economy of the island.”
Anglesey Council’s Economic Development and Major Projects portfolio holder, Cllr Carwyn Jones, said: “Both the town and wider area of North Anglesey has been hit hard by recent job losses and disappointment with recent news about the Wylfa Newydd project.
“Our officers will now work with Welsh Government officials to determine what and how support can be secured to see investment and job creation on these two sites.”
Council leader Cllr Llinos Medi added: “It will also allow us or those in the private sector to secure funding to develop these sites to meet the needs of local firms and potential investors.”
Neil Rowlands Chair of the Anglesey Enterprise Zone said: “By awarding enterprise zone status to Llwyn Onn industrial estate and Octel site in Amlwch it demonstrates not only the commitment of Welsh Government to intervene quickly, via the Enterprise Zone, and with substance to address the needs of the economy, it also confirms and recognises that a commitment to north Anglesey is required in assisting to help in the creation of jobs and growth to the already skilled local workforce, something supported by the Anglesey Enterprise Zone board.
“North Anglesey has been hit particularly hard in recent times with job losses, company closures and the challenges of delivering Wylfa newydd. With Enterprise Zone status, this now allows north Anglesey access to increased profile, additional Welsh Government support, unique enterprise zone funding streams, training opportunities and inward investment opportunities.”
The Welsh Government said that Anglesey’s Enterprise Zone status has already been successful in drawing investment to the Island and has seen more than 1,000 jobs created, safeguarded or assisted since its formation in 2012.