Concerns Over Deteriorating Peboc Site
£7.5 million has been allocated to purchase and clear former chemical works in an effort to create hundreds of jobs on Anglesey.
The Eastman Peboc factory in Llangefni closed in 2008, resulting in 65 job losses.
Since then, the site has remained unused and has deteriorated.
With Anglesey Council highlighting a significant need for more industrial units in towns such as Llangefni, funding worth £7.48 million has now been secured thanks to the North Wales Growth Deal and the island's Freeport Fund.
Clearing the site, according to the council leader, would enable the private sector to develop business units and meet the increasing demand for brownfield sites already present on the island.
The Peboc site in Llangefni has been without permanent use since the factory's closure in 2008.
At its peak, the Peboc chemical works employed around 170 people before closing in 2008.
Although there was renewed hope when the Irish company Ecopellets Ltd revealed plans to build a biomass plant on the site, these plans were never realised.
With the site continuing to decline over the years, a 2024 report by Anglesey Council noted concerns over its "very poor condition," stating it is now a "hazard to the environment and public health."
'Showing the Urge to Move Forward'
Following this, the current hope is to "create quality jobs and attract new businesses to the island."
Council documents indicate that the owners have already agreed in principle to sell the site to the authority.
Gary Pritchard, leader of Anglesey Council, said 20 years of site decline meant there were "challenges" to face.
He added it was a priority to bring the 7,000 square metre site back into economic use.
Gary Pritchard: "Mae 'na restr aros ac mae'r galw yn gyson, ac yn cynyddu, am unedau bychain a rhai mawr"
"It shows the Freeport's impact extends beyond Holyhead – it is for the whole island," said Councillor Pritchard.
"Looking at the work ongoing at the former 2 Sisters site, and now the Peboc site, it shows the urge to move forward.
"Small and medium businesses are the backbone of the economy and we have business units across the island, and those units are all full.
"There is a waiting list and demand is constant and increasing for small and large units."
A planning application to build business units on the Peboc site has already been approved, but it is unclear if new plans will be submitted.
In March 2023, confirmation came that two freeports would be established in Wales, one zone in Milford Haven and Port Talbot, and the other on Anglesey.
Freeport status allows companies to import goods and then export them beyond normal tax and customs regulations.
This enables factories near the port to import raw materials duty-free and pay duties only when finished goods leave the site – or to re-export abroad without paying any UK duties.
With the Peboc plan having attracted £4 million from the Anglesey Freeport Seed Capital Fund provided by the UK and Welsh Governments, work on the site is expected to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2027.
'Real Benefits for Llangefni and the Region'
Next door to the Peboc site is the former 2 Sisters meat processing factory, which closed in March 2023 leading to over 700 job losses.
The site has now been purchased by Stena Line as part of their wider plans to boost the local economy.
Although the company has not revealed specific plans for the site yet, the buildings have already been demolished and the site is in the process of being cleared.
According to the North Wales Ambition, it is expected that realising the plan and clearing the site would enable the private sector to develop new units on the Peboc site and create around 220 jobs – providing £65.4 million in economic value by 2036.
Councillor Jason McLellan, lead member for land and property at North Wales Ambition and leader of Denbighshire Council, said: "These proposals would bring this site back into use, delivering real benefits to Llangefni and the wider region.
"With Growth Deal support, the former industrial site can be revitalised to create good quality jobs.
"By improving infrastructure, adopting sustainable design, and aligning with Freeport plans, the project will strengthen the local economy and reinforce Anglesey as a location for business and innovation."
Follow Cymru Fyw on Facebook, X, Instagram, or TikTok.
Send any story ideas to cymrufyw@bbc.co.uk or contact via WhatsApp on 07709850033.
for the latest from Wales on your mobile device.
