North Wales developments that can boost the economy in 2022
It has been a challenging start to 2022 thanks to the pandemic but there are developments in the pipeline that can help kickstart the North Wales economy as the year goes on.
Major redevelopments, a paper driven manufacturing boom, and a marina are among schemes that can bring investment and jobs as the country looks to recover from the pandemic.
We highlight seven schemes across North Wales that can help drive that recovery.
Former North Wales Hospital, Denbigh
![The former Denbigh Hospital. General view of the main entrance to the derelict listed building. Photo by Ian Cooper](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/article17395297.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/2_JS166940106.jpg)
(Image: IAN COOPER/NORTH WALES LIVE)
Multi-million pound plans to transform the former North Wales asylum were given the go-ahead last year with hopes work can now get moving on redeveloping this landmark site.
North Wales Hospital – once a hospital for hundreds of people with psychiatric illness – closed in 1995.
It has been empty since then but last year Denbighshire County Council planners approved an application by Vale of Clwyd-based Jones Bros to redevelop the 50.6-acre site.
Their 10-year project will restore and convert the magnificent central section of the hospital into residential apartments which will be complemented by a mix of services which could include shops, restaurants and a gym.
It is tipped the scheme could boost the local economy by £75 million and create 1200 jobs.
Holyhead Marina
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(Image: CAD Architects)
Plans for the £100m transformation of Holyhead waterfront were submitted in October last year.
Conygar Holyhead Limited has secured outline planning for the scheme after a long battle due to considerable local opposition.
Detailed planning is now with Anglesey council.
The proposed development includes a 250-berth marina, 259 townhouses and apartments, marine commercial and additional A1/A3 retail units on the waterfront, together with substantial areas of improved public realm, and an amphitheatre and covered arcade for open-air events.
Robert Ware, chief executive of Conygar, said the “proposals will be a catalyst for the regeneration of Holyhead, bringing significant economic benefits to the area and local community”.
Wrexham Industrial Estate
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The industrial estate is already one of the region’s biggest economic powerhouses but 2022 is set to see more development and more jobs at the sprawling site.
Sports equipment firm Net World Sports are building their new headquarters with the £25m site set to open in the summer – paving the way for more expansion and jobs.
FI Real Estate Management(FIREM) are also investing heavily on the estate – the company has three development site reaching completion in early 2022 and planning underway for their other plots.
There are further plans from Cefn Park Developments for an expansion to the estate which will go before planners on Wrexham council next week, although officers are recommending that one for refusal.
Parc Bryn Cegin, Bangor
![Bryn Cegin, Bangor](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article2626744.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/pics-image-8-210077008.jpg)
Okay, we’ve been here before, but the regeneration site could finally be about to create jobs after 20 years.
Plans for Parc Bryn Cegin were first submitted in 2000 but the 90 acre industrial park has so far failed to secure any tenants despite European cash paying for infrastructure works in 2005.
Now Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has agreed to the sale of the Welsh Government’s interest in the freehold of a plot. More details are due to be released early in the new year with sources saying it will be positive news for the local economy. Fingers crossed on this one.
Pier Pavilion site, Llandudno
![The Pier Pavilion site next to the Grand Hotel in Llandudno](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article12531848.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/JS108519227.jpg)
It’s been a eventful 12 months for this site – although the thing that remains constant is that it is still an eyesore hole the ground.
The Pier Pavilion site has lain empty for 23-years after the old building was destroyed by fire. The land started 2021 year in the hands of developer Alan Waldron who secured planning permission in 2018 for a 50 apartment and restaurant scheme.
This year he secured permission from Conwy council for an amended scheme – which then led to a call-in request to Welsh Government.
However, in a new twist, before any decision was made in Cardiff a deal was done to sell the site to Llandudno Pier owner Adam Williams.
He has now laid out his ambitions for a £20m leisure development on the site. More details will be revealed this year.
Paper Mills
![View from the River Dee of the 700,000 sq ft paper mill planned by ICT on the Northern Gateway (Airfield) site near Garden City](https://i2-prod.dailypost.co.uk/incoming/article21863225.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_AFR_DPW_141021ICTpaperMill_02.jpg)
(Image: ICT)
More than 1,000 jobs could come to Deeside with two massive factory developments.
Plans for the 700,000 sq ft facility at the Northern Gateway (Airfields) site were announced by Italian-based, Industrie Cartarie Tronchetti Group (ICT) last year.
The mill, on a 50-acre site, will manufacture paper products such as toilet rolls, kitchen towels, napkins, handkerchiefs and industrial uses. Construction is expected to begin early this year.
Meanwhile 650 jobs could be coming to a paper mill site in North Wales under a massive investment plan.
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UPM announced in May that it had reached an agreement to sell its newsprint mill site to Eren Paper Ltd – a subsidiary of Turkish industrial conglomerate Eren Holding.
Eren has submitted a proposal to redevelop and expand the site – moving from newsprint to producing container board and tissue products as well as building a new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant.
Port checks
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(Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live)
It’s seems strange to celebrate red tape but the new post-Brexit rules will mean around 300 new jobs in Holyhead and millions of pounds spent on the facilities.
Uk Government is splashing £45m on its new customs post on Parc Cybi with 390 employed during the construction phase and 175 once the site is operational, with an expected annual wage bill of £6m. An economic impact report said the entire scheme would bring a £240m boost over 10 years.
Welsh Government is building a separate facility on Parc Cybi to perform checks on animals, plants and products of animal origin entering Wales from Ireland – with around 100 more roles and another multi-million pound investment.
The downside here is the impact on the port which has seen a 30% dip in freight trade since Brexit as business is diverted to alternative routes.
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