Plans for an automated warehouse near Elton are set to be given the green light as a prominent Cheshire employer sets its sights on future growth. Encirc, a major glass container manufacturer with sites in England, Northern Ireland, and Italy, is seeking approval from Cheshire West and Chester's planning committee for a new facility at its existing Ash Road site.
Since its establishment in Elton in 2005, Encirc has become a significant local employer, currently employing over 900 staff members and an additional 130 full-time contractors. The proposed expansion involves the construction of a new 61,000 square meter automated warehouse in Elton, connected to the company's existing plant via a monorail.
According to the submitted plans, the automated warehouse will span approximately 300 meters in length and 107 meters in width, accommodating 16 crane automated stacking aisles. The main warehouse will have a parapet height of 44 meters, allowing for the maximum length of the cranes, which have an operational height of 40 meters.
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A planning committee report states that the height of the design reflects Encirc's operational requirements, as it aims to create an additional 200,000 pallet spaces within the facility. The proposal also includes an HGV marshalling yard with 117 trailer spaces and parking for 140 cars, including seven accessible spaces and 14 electric vehicle parking spaces.
The report, which recommends approval of the application ahead of the committee meeting scheduled for next Tuesday, highlights that the site earmarked for development is previously developed brownfield land specifically allocated for new employment opportunities. It further states: "The proposed development is considered to meet the aims of policy and represents a significant investment in the borough, which will contribute to sustaining and enhancing the operation of the Encirc facility and delivering additional employment. These are factors that weigh significantly in favor of the proposal."
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