Welshpool business park expansion set to continue

The scheme, set for Offas Dyke Business Park at Buttington, near Welshpool, would see a new single-storey industrial unit with associated roadway, landscaping and parking built on the edge of the development.

The plans for the 3,600 square metre site have been brought forward by the Welsh Government, who own the site.

No indication of a potential tenant for the building is given on the plans, and drawings put forward by the Department for Economy & Transport show a single storey aluminium clad building, broadly similar to those already in place on the park.

If approved, the site is set to occupy a green-field site between the Charlies unit and the Zip-Clip factory and office unit, next to the A458.

The move is the latest scheme to be brought forward for the business park, following the approval of a new 1000sq/m research and development unit for YASA Ltd, who manufacture electric motors and earlier this year were acquired by motoring giant Mercedez-Benz.

That scheme was approved in October 2020 and is now nearing completion.

According to material on the YASA's website, the company has offices in Oxford and a research and development facility in Welshpool and employs around 250 people.

"Since our foundation in 2009, we’ve always been pioneers in next-generation electric drive technology. Now, as part of Mercedes-Benz, we’re going to redefine the future of driving performance," said a statement from the company issued following the takeover in July.

"Operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, with our own brand, team and facilities, YASA will help to develop pioneering best-in-class electric drive innovations to give Mercedes-Benz exceptional performance in a new electric era.

"The YASA team, all 250 of us, will continue to operate from our HQ and production facility in Oxford, UK and our innovation facility in Welshpool, Wales."

The plans were lodged with Powys County Council on September 24, and will be decided on later this year.