AN Inverclyde firm that says it has had to turn down work because of space limitations at its current location is set to have its bid to build new workshops in Greenock approved.
Inverweld Limited has applied for permission to develop land near industrial units at Upper Cartsburn Street in Greenock, with Inverclyde Council officers recommending the plans be approved.
Bosses say the development would bring a boost of five new jobs.
Application documents state that the company, which is currently based at King Street in Port Glasgow, has outgrown its current premises and is looking to expand.
It says that lack of parking and difficulty with delivery access for loading and unloading of fabricated structures add to the issues the company faces.
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The vacant site is classed as public open space but is heavily overgrown and has been subject to fly-tipping.
If plans are approved, around a third of the application site would be used by the company and Inverweld has said it would be ‘more than happy’ to work with a social enterprise group to form allotments on the rest of the land.
Two buildings would be constructed at the site – a larger industrial unit comprising of a workshop and an office and a smaller building which would be internally subdivided into three workshops.
The larger unit would house all of the fabrication and welding work for the company as well as office and meeting space.
It is stated to be double the size of the company’s current facility, which will allow larger fabrication work to be targeted and undertaken.
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The smaller units will house a shot-blasting and a paint spraying workshop, alongside a dedicated space for the welding and fabrication of aluminium components to prevent cross contamination from working in the main workshop.
The firm currently sub-contracts these services outside the Inverclyde area due to the level of service available and says that bringing them in-house will speed up processes, streamline the procurement process and shorten customer delivery times.
If permission is given for the move the business intends to re-let its current property in Port Glasgow to another firm.
A supporting statement submitted alongside the application outlines the perceived benefits of the move.
It states: “Re-locating to bespoke premises will allow Inverweld to improve facilities for its current workforce.
“This will include better ventilation, more flexible working hours, dedicated staff break room, improved transport links and secure parking.
“This should lead to better staff retention as well as improved recruitment success. The larger premises will also Inverweld to offer additional spaces through the work experience programmes it currently participates in.
“The larger premises will allow the company to further improve its recycling policy.
“There will be space to utilise a range of skips which will be used for the recycling of all waste that it produces as well as any it removes from site.
“Removing all of the limitations that Inverweld currently operates under will allow it to significantly grow as a company.”
The firm estimates that the move would create five new jobs over the next two years, broken down as two apprenticeships, two production jobs and an administration role.
The development will also incorporate photovoltaic panels, rain and grey water recycling systems and the provision of electric vehicle charging points.
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The remaining two thirds of the site are to be revitalised as public open space, with a new access path and the possible allotments.
In their report on the proposals, council officials say the move to construct an industrial unit and ancillary buildings on the site, which is classed as public open space, would be contrary to policy were it not for the inclusion of proposals to improve the remaining space and provide allotments.
They added: “The proposal will be sited in close proximity to other business and industrial uses and will present new opportunities for local employment through the growth of local business and will allow for an existing local employer to remain within the local area.
“The proposal will also provide enhanced opportunities for recreational use of the remaining open space which would add value to this area of public open space and offset the loss of part of the existing open space for the industrial development.”
Members of Inverclyde Council's planning board will decide whether to back the application at a meeting on June 7.
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