New HQ for major Welshpool employer Invertek in councillors' hands

The proposal by Invertek Drives limited is for a new four storey building at Unit C, Offa’s Dyke Business Park, Buttington .

The building would become the company’s headquarters, include a research and development centre and also include an electricity substation, new access and associated works and 40 parking spaces.

The building would provide internal floor space of  3,980m square metres over four storeys.

The application will appear before Powys County Council’s Planning committee at a meeting on Wednesday, July 8, after being “called in” by local county councillor Amanda Jenner.

Cllr Jenner (Conservative – Trewern and Trelystan) said: “I would like to call in this application due to concerns regarding the height of the building and the lighting.”

She asked how the “highest height” of the building would compare with other buildings on the business park and other sites near Welshpool.

Cllr Jenner added: “There are concerns regarding the bright flood lights and other outside building lights being left on overnight within the park and this development would add to the light pollution when dark.”

How the new headquarters for Invertek Drives Ltd at Offa's Dyke Business Park near Welshpool could look. Invertek drives.

Trewern community council discussed the proposal in December last year and while being “generally supportive” also raised concerns on building height and potential light pollution.

Planning agent Rhiannon Davies of Austin-Smith: Lord explained the proposal in a design and access statement. “Invertek Drives, is a leading designer and maker of variable frequency drives, devices which control the speed of three phase motors.

READ MORE: New four-storey HQ for Invertek Dives on edge of Welshpool

“Now part of the Japanese group, Sumitomo, the company is a major employer in Welshpool and employs 340 people at their existing site, formed from adapted light industrial buildings.

“As a consequence of continued success and growth, the company requires more accommodation and has rationalised its requirement for a bespoke headquarters building.

“The building is to provide laboratories, CAD (computer aided design), software offices, admin, training, visitor and administration space.

“The proposed development is located on the last remaining site on the Offa’s Dyke Business Park, close by the current Invertek manufacturing facility.

The Invertek Drives Ltd manufacturing facility at Offa's Dyke Business Park near Welshpool. Google Streetview

“The new building will also act as a landmark/gateway and  has been designed to establish a contemporary landmark for the company in its home town, appropriate to its functional need, discrete in its location on the edge of countryside and contemporary in its environmental and accessible design.”

Principal planning officer, Richard Edwards said: “Offa’s Dyke Business Park is an allocated site, under the current Local Development Plan (LDP).

“The proposal is considered to fundamentally comply with the LDP.

“Furthermore, the proposal aligns with the spatial strategy set out in Future Wales: The National Plan 2040, which identifies the Bro Hafren area within Mid Wales, encompassing settlements such as Welshpool as part of a designated Regional Growth Area.

“This designation recognises the role of Bro Hafren in accommodating sustainable economic development and supporting the long-term resilience of rural communities.

“Overall, the layout is considered to make efficient and appropriate use of the site, whilst delivering a high-quality form of development at a prominent entrance point into the enterprise park.”

Due to this, Mr Edwards will recommend that councillors approve the scheme.