Something must be done about Bryn Cegin estate
‘Wasted opportunity for jobs and young people’
AN MP has joined forces with two councillors to put pressure on the Welsh Government to do more to promote an empty industrial park.
A meeting was held last week in Bangor between Hywel Williams MP, Maesgeirchen councillor Nigel Pickavance and Arllechwedd councillor Dafydd Meurig, to plan the next steps of the campaign to put pressure on the Welsh Government to promote investment at Parc Bryn Cegin site in Llandygai.
The site has lain empty now for almost 15 years and was even used as a lorry park recently during the stormy weather.
“Over the past year I have had several meetings with businesses interested in relocating to Parc Bryn Cegin” said Mr Williams.
“I have referred each of these businesses to the Welsh Government, whose responsibility it is to market the site to potential investors. The responses I’ve received from the Welsh Government has been far from encouraging.
“The local community have all backed the campaign to develop Parc Bryn Cegin as the infrastructure to support any development at the site is already in place.
“It’s in a great location, right next to the A55. Developing the site would bring a much needed boost to the local economy, bring further investment opportunities to Bangor and provide long-term jobs for our young people.
“I had a productive meeting with councillors Pickavance and Meurig to discuss the future of Parc Bryn Cegin.
“We discussed various ideas on how to take the campaign forward.
“Many local people have suggested the site would be an ideal location for a multiplex cinema, such as Odeon.
“I will now be making further representations to the Welsh Government to find out exactly what their long term plans are for the site, if any.”
Cllr Pickavance said he believed the bid to find investment for the site had taken “a big step forward”.
“The meeting with Dafydd and Hywel was very constructive, the campaign to find suitable investors in Parc Bryn Cegin has taken a big step forward.
“With the representation of MP Hywel Williams, we will lobby the Welsh Government into prioritising their efforts to Bryn Cegin.
“We have a detailed plan of action for the Campaign and I am hopeful that for as long as an effort is made by all concerned, a suitable developer can be sought for the site.”
Cllr Meurig added: “Bryn Cegin was established by the Welsh Government over ten years ago with the intention of providing hundreds of local jobs, so it’s very frustrating that no businesses have yet settled there.
“I recognise that the economy has been in the doldrums over the last few years, but surely all efforts must now be made to market this exceptional site.
“I am calling for control of the site to be transferred to either Gwynedd Council or other local body, so that people who live in Bangor and the surrounding area have a greater say.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are working closely with our development partner and the local authority to secure investment and employment opportunities at Parc Bryn Cegin.
“It is well placed to take advantage of the improving economic conditions as a result of the investments made in infrastructure and mains services.”