Plans submitted to demolish former Ford engine plant

Lewis Smith, local democracy reporter

An application has been submitted to demolish the former Ford engine plant at Waterton Industrial Estate in Bridgend.

The demolition plans come just months after it was announced that the huge site had been acquired by a US-based data centre company, Vantage Data Centres, which already operates two data centres in Cardiff.

The site, based around two miles away from Bridgend town centre, was closed by Ford in September 2020 after 40 years of production, in what was described as a devastating blow for workers at the time.

Data centre

However, it could now see the “long-term development” of a new data centre, which are usually used by large companies to store, process and manage large amounts of data.

A Vantage spokesperson previously confirmed to WalesOnline that it had acquired the Bridgend site, though added they were unable to provide further information about the project at that time.

They said: “Vantage has acquired the former Ford engine plant in Bridgend for a future long-term development.

“As a business established in Wales since 2007 Vantage is excited by this expansion opportunity and looks forward to continuing our engagement with the Welsh and local governments creating a positive impact on the local and broader economy and workforce.”

Before any development begins, it looks as though the plant will be demolished, pending approval from Bridgend Council’s planning authority, with a schedule of work that includes the demolition of all above-ground structures, the stripping of any remaining equipment, as well as the removal of any slab and underground structures.

The completion of all works is set to take just over a year, with an estimated end date scheduled for September 2025.