Plans Lodged For South Wales Glass Bottle Making Factory
It could create more than 1,100 jobs at the Rassau Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Ebbw Vale.
Last updated 8th Oct 2021
CiNER Glass Ltd want to build a three-part facility to make glass bottles, this includes the handling of raw/recycled materials to make glass as well as inspection and packing areas.
The factory would also have 75 metre high chimney stacks.
Agents for the project, Cardiff based Arup explained the proposal in a planning statement:
Arup said: “The proposed development would be situated on a land parcel located at the eastern side of the Rassau Industrial Estate, within the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone (‘EVEZ’).”
As the proposal is known as a “major development” a pre-application consultation took place from July 22 to August 19.
Arup said: “The proposed development represents the
company’s largest investment outside of Turkey to date and forms part of a
significant expansion programme spanning across Europe and the USA.
“The applicant is one of the largest producers of natural soda ash, a key material in the production of glass bottles.
“The proposed development is required to bring the production of glass bottles to the UK market, reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation.”
The factory would use two vacant sites as well as an undeveloped bit of land at the industrial estate.
Arup explain that there could be as many as 670 jobs “associated” with the running of the facility and at the peak of the construction period 450 jobs.
They also claim that the factory would provide apprenticeship and training opportunities for the local labour market.
Arup said: “The proposed development would be constructed over a period of approximately four years.”
If approved building work would start next summer.
Work building the superstructure for the first furnace would start on September/October 2022.
Once this is built, the firm would fire up the furnace while building work on the second furnace would start.
They anticipate that the whole project could be finished and fully operational by 2026.
In a statement CiNER said: “Following a pre-application consultation during the summer, a full planning application was registered with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, the local planning authority, on September 22.
“The application and the supporting documents are available to view on
Blaenau Gwent’s website.
“Any comments regarding the application must be submitted by email to
planning@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk or in writing to Civic Centre, Ebbw Vale NP23 6XB by Monday, November 15. ”
CiNER expect a decision to be made on the application in January 2022.