Talgo factory
Planning permission has been granted for a new train manufacturing facility at Longannet, Fife.
PLANNING permission for the Talgo UK train manufacturing facility at Longannet, Fife, was approved on December 18.
Scottish Enterprise submitted the application to develop the site of the former power station, with a mix of business, general industrial use, storage and distribution facilities as well as the factory.
The Spanish manufacturing company has always stressed that it is not just here for the £2.75 billion HS2 trains contract (due to be awarded this year), but also for other UK opportunities as well as the export market.
“By taking part of the site, Talgo UK can now continue to develop our plan to bring ‘true manufacturing’ back to the UK rail industry - sourcing from the UK supply chain, and keeping more money in the local, regional and national economies of the UK,” said Talgo UK Managing Director Jon Veitch.
The company plans to source components entirely from the
UK, rather than assemble kits of parts delivered from overseas. It claims this will provide a boost to the UK supply chain.
Veitch added: “Talgo UK’s factory, once implemented, will create 1,000 jobs on site, and many thousands more will be created or protected in the supply chain.
“I am conscious of the great responsibility that we have, to ensure that our plans are delivered sensitively and sympathetically to the environment and also to the heritage of the area.”
Paul Lewis, MD of International Economic Development at Scottish Enterprise, said: “The Longannet site is of strategic importance to the Scottish economy, and we are committed to ensuring it is redeveloped for future industrial use, delivering investment, jobs and further benefits.”
Fife Council Co-Leader David Ross said: “The Longannet site is nationally significant and critically important locally.
“We now look forward to showcasing the site to ensure that this location, which has driven past industrial revolutions, will once again be a catalyst towards business activity that drives a renewed innovation-led economy.”
Talgo has repeatedly said that Brexit will not have any impact on its decision to launch in the UK. It was unsuccessful in bids to supply trains to the East Midlands and West Coast Partnership franchises, but is known to be discussing options for other operators.
The company, which has its headquarters in Las Matas (near Madrid), is also discussing deals for continental orders that could yet be built in Scotland.