AM backs efforts to provide land for steel-makers expansion

The go-ahead has been given for more talks to seal a deal to sell land to steel-makers Celsa for a future major expansion of its Cardiff operations, Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks has learnt.

Deputy First Minister for the Economy and Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones has agreed that the Welsh Assembly Government officials can continue to negotiate to sell 51 acres land at Pengam Green to the Spanish-owned business.

Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central, who area includes Cardiff, said: “I’m pleased that negotiations will continue to conclude a deal with Celsa. They have become a hugely important employer in Cardiff since the collapse of ASW and it is vital that they are able to expand in the future, hopefully, creating a lot more manufacturing jobs for the people of Cardiff and South Wales.”

In September 2007 Ieuan Wyn Jones agreed that the Welsh Assembly Government should negotiate to sell land at Pengam Green in view of Celsa’s £150m investment and the creation of 800 jobs. Celsa want to protect the potential for future expansion of steel making operations from its existing constrained site. The Deputy First Minister has now agreed to a further period of negotiation to conclude an agreement.

The remaining landholdings of the Welsh Assembly Government in the area of around eight acres are required for a future strategic transport proposal led by Cardiff Council.

Appropriate clauses will be introduced in the disposal documents to ensure that the Welsh Assembly Government has a first option to buy the land back at market value in the event of Celsa going into liquidation, wishing to sell to a third party or declaring the land surplus to their requirements.