Council give aerospace factory expansion plan the green light

Liam Randall, local democracy reporter

Plans to expand an aerospace factory have been given the green light in a move which is expected to create 120 new jobs.

An application was submitted by Magellan Aerospace earlier this year to create an 8,000 square metre building next to its base on Llay Industrial Estate, Wrexham.

The Canadian firm said the facility would be used to assemble, store and distribute aircraft parts, as well as providing offices and welfare facilities for staff.

The scheme has now been approved by members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee at a meeting held earlier this week.

Outlining details of the proposals, council planning officer David Williams said: “This is an application by Magellan Aerospace to increase their facility at Llay.

“Clearly, there are significant economic benefits to this in terms of the investment to the area.

“There will be an increase in jobs by 120 employees to 470 on the site.

“It’s an industry that we want to see supported with highly skilled jobs involved.

“It’s in accordance with policy and the vast majority of the site is within land allocated for employment and all of the site is within the settlement limits.”

‘Loss’ 

Councillors were told at Monday’s meeting that the proposals would result in the loss of 40 car parking spaces at the existing site.

However, the company said 72 extra spaces would be created at the new facility, which would mean a net increase of 32.

The plans were supported by local councillor Brian Apsley who said it would benefit the area’s economy.

Hermitage representative Graham Roger also gave his backing for the scheme, despite voicing concerns over parking arrangements while the extension is built.

He said: “It would be silly to refuse this application, especially when it’s going to encompass an additional 120 jobs which will be a boost to Llay and the surrounding areas of Wrexham as far as the economy is concerned.

“But I’ve got concerns in relation to the construction phase, as regards to the parking.”

The planning officer agreed to attach a condition requiring the company to create a parking management plan while the building is being constructed.

The committee unanimously approved the proposals at the end of the debate.