A FORMER chemical factory could be knocked down and replaced by business units if council proposals are given the green light.

In 2008, 60 jobs were lost following the closure of Llangefni-based chemical company Eastman Peboc.

Since then, the bulk of the site on Industrial Estate Road has lain dormant after a planning application for a biomass development was turned down in 2012.

According to Anglesey council, which has now submitted an outline planning application, the site could be demolished and replaced with business units to cover around 5,200 square metres.

The units would cover business, general use and warehousing purposes, and would vary in size.

The statement accompanying the authority’s submission notes that the project is being developed to capitalise on projects such as Wylfa Newydd.

Although no figures have been released on how many jobs could be created, the units are being designed with the construction phase of the nuclear plant in mind, which could create an additional 1,600 non-direct jobs on top of the 8,500 workers during peak construction.

The statement says: “Hitachi has made a 100 year commitment to Anglesey and the wider region, and as such it is anticipated that take up of employment land will be considerably higher than historic trends.

“The unprecedented development and economic activity now expected over the next decade means that additional employment land provision such as that provided by the proposed scheme is required to ensure that Anglesey can fully capitalise on this once in a generation opportunity.

A council spokesman added: “This application is for outline consent for business, general industrial, or warehousing and distribution uses within Enterprise Zone 5 (EZ5).

“This would involve the demolition and redevelopment of the former Eastman Peboc chemical works premises.

“The proposals would see an underutilised site within the EZ brought into employment use, benefiting the communities and economy of Llangefni.

“The scheme would deliver high quality employment land in an accessible location on the edge of Llangefni.

“There is now significant sector investment interest in Anglesey, and we hope to see this old industrial site brought back into use to help create jobs for local people.”

It’s expected that Anglesey council’s planning committee will discuss the application over the coming months.