A Turkish conglomerate says its planned new paper mill development could recycle all the wastepaper generated in Wales as well as create 660 jobs. Eren Holding is bringing forward plans to repurpose Shotton Mill in Deeside to create one of the largest and most advanced paper mills in the world.
They said they will convert production at the former newsprint site to containerboard and tissue manufacturing, with a capacity of 750,000 tonnes a year of containerboard and 210,000 tonnes a year of tissue. The firm said: "The site will have the capacity to recycle all of the wastepaper generated in Wales.
"Once operational, the facility will create an additional 660 new jobs for local people. All 190 employees currently working for Shotton Mill Limited have been retained as part of the transition to the new business and all have a role to play in the future. The level of investment in the local area is in the order of £600 million."
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Recycled paper and other recyclable materials, including glass and plastics that are collected by local councils from households all around the UK are brought to site for reprocessing. The new proposals will be split into three separate planning applications, with two applications relating to paper manufacturing and the construction of the new paper mills being submitted to Flintshire County Council.
The applications include:
- Redevelopment and extension of the main site
- Piling works
A third application for the Combined Heat and Power facility, with up to 60 MWe capacity (1 x 40MW + 2 x 10 MWunits), is considered a Development of National Significance (DNS) and will therefore be submitted to the Welsh Government.
Ahead of submitting the planning applications, Eren will be launching two separate public consultations, one on the applications being determined by Flintshire County Council and one on the DNS application being determined by the Welsh Government.
- Flintshire County Council applications from Monday 21 st March – Tuesday 19 th April (30 days)
- Welsh Government application from Monday 21 st March – Tuesday 3 rd May (44 days)
A virtual exhibition of the proposals will take place on a dedicated consultation website, www.shottonmillconsultation.co.uk, during the consultation period. This will provide local people an interactive way of learning more about the proposals.
A spokesperson for Eren Holding, said: “We are excited to announce our plans to repurpose Shotton Mill in Deeside, Flintshire. We are passionate about recycling paper and want to expand the current facilities to create one of the UK’s largest and most advanced technology paper mills.
"Our plans will not only create hundreds of new jobs, but we will invest around £600 million in the local area of Flintshire.
We want to be a part of your community and we look forward to hearing your views on our plans.”
All materials, including the detailed planning documents, will be available on the website. Local residents can get in touch via email at ShottonMillConsultation@havingyoursay.co.uk or by calling the Community Information Line via 0333 358 0502 (Monday to Friday – 9am to 5:30pm).
Following the consultation, all feedback will be analysed before planning applications are submitted to Flintshire County Council and the Welsh Government.
