Shotton paper mill buildings to be demolished as part of major redevelopment

Several buildings at a Flintshire-based paper mill look set to be demolished as part of a major redevelopment. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A series of upgrades are planned at UPM Shotton as new owners Eren Holding look to expand the range of products it produces. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The site on Deeside Industrial Park, which employs 190 people, was sold as part of an agreement by UPM earlier this year. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The mill currently produces newsprint paper but that is due to stop when Turkish industrial firm Eren takes over at the start of October. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

It’s expected the demolition work could take up to six months, with the buildings earmarked to be removed including the two main paper mills and a goods warehouse. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A consultant acting on Eren’s behalf said the site upgrades would have a positive impact on the area. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In a letter to Flintshire Council, Elle Cass from SLR Consulting Limited said: “A justification for this demolition and any discussion of planning merits is not a requirement of this process. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“However, we consider that it is helpful to provide some context; particularly given the positive longer term economic and wider benefits of our client’s overall proposals. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The demolition of these buildings is required in order to prepare for the part redevelopment of the site for new modern paper mill production which will be dealt with under a subsequent full planning application. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Early demolition is being proposed to ensure that there is no delay in the redevelopment proposals and to minimise the duration of the temporary closure of the plant. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“This will ensure that the additional employment and investment proposed at the plant can be delivered in as timely a manner as possible, alongside the visual, environmental and sustainability benefits which the upgraded proposals will deliver.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

When the takeover was agreed in May, Eren said it planned to integrate the Shotton site into its existing business units and provide investment. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A commitment was also made that all employees would transfer to the new owners. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Council officials have been asked to consider whether the proposals should be classed as permitted development and therefore would not require prior approval. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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