Cash down the drain warning

Sep 3 2002 By Elgan Hearn, Holyhead And Anglesey Mail

PROTESTS against the proposed siting of a sewerage plant on Holyhead's Penrhos Industrial Estate could seriously affect investment in the town, according to Cllr W J Jones.

The economic and tourism cabinet portfolio holder believes that continued wrangling over positioning a sewerage plant on the outskirts of Holyhead could see the town lose out on vital European Objective One funding as the member states look to improve job prospects in Eastern Europe.

Last month, councillors faced an angry crowd as they walked around the proposed site, which would cost Welsh Water £25m to build and which is near houses, schools, and a hospital.

The protesters also believe that placing the sewerage works on the industrial estate would put off any businesses thinking of setting down roots on the island.

Cllr Jones said: "Contrary to what the protesters believe, the sewerage system is vital for the economic development of Holyhead.

"The present system cannot take the increased volume which new developments would bring, and the problem we face is a lack of large sites where a pumping station could be situated; we have already had to reject one site as a result of local opposition."

Cllr Jones believes the current economic situation is perfect to entice investment in the port from Ireland because of the high land prices in Dublin and Dun Laoghaire.

Cllr Jones said: "This project is vital, especially the timescale.

"We need to take advantage of Objective One status while we still have it. We will be an Objective One area until 2006, after that it is believed help will be aimed at countries such as Hungary, Poland or the Czech Republic.

"We need to make the most of our situation over the next two to three years, and if the proposal is turned down, we have to once again go through the process of starting all over and finding a relevant site, which means that it takes longer to entice businesses."

If the applications are passed by committee, builders could be working on the site early next year, and the sewerage pumping station could be finished in 18 months.