New pipe manufacturing plant in Strabane to create 50 jobs

PLANS have been unveiled for a new manufacturing plant in Strabane which will create 50 jobs.

Fabplus, a specialist supplier of bespoke pre-fabricated pipework for the fire sprinkler and mechanical industries, is investing £7.1m in a new facility at Strabane Business Park on Melmount Road.

The firm, which has been established for 35 years and already has a location at Orchard Road Industrial Estate, was granted planning permission for the industrial unit at the Invest NI-owned site at a meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Planning Committee last week.

The application, described by council officers as a 'major application', detailed plans for an 'industrial unit (Class B3: general industrial) to comprise a manufacturing area, training areas, meeting rooms, ancillary spaces, offices staff canteen, including the provision of landscaping, car parking and all associated site works."

A planning council officer said consultations with governmental bodies, such as the Department for Infrastructure and NI Water, were concluded with no objections, and that during a public notification exercise there were no representations in support or against the development.

Councillors were told the 'significant investment' would provide "long-term sustainable economic benefits" to the town and result in the creation of 50 part-time and full-time jobs locally.

They were also informed that the factory will be used to produce fire sprinkler pipework for the UK and European markets.

It was outlined that planning officials are satisfied that the proposal is an acceptable use at this location given the approval for industrial issues.

Members of the committee were informed that the application demonstrated that adequate measures will be put in place to mitigate potential impacts arising due to manufacturing noise, and traffic implications and was in keeping with requirements in terms of natural heritage, residential amenity and environmental considerations including ground contamination, surface water run-off drainage and sewage.

Planning approval was granted subject to several conditions.

The firm was represented at the meeting by Robyn Nicholl and Tom Stokes, both of TSA Planning, who were the agents for the applicant.

Ms Nicholl spoke of the "exciting proposal" adding: "Fabplus Limited is a locally owned family-run business....The business has grown from its sole trade origins in 1986 to be the market-leading and highly-respected business that exists today.

"The proposal seeks to expand upon the existing Fabplus Limited premises located at Orchard Road Industrial Estate and will make a positive contribution to the local economy and deliver much-needed investment into the area.

"All statutory consultees have responded with no objections subject to conditions

"We are really excited about this £7.1m investment for Strabane which will support approximately 25 construction jobs and apprenticeships for the duration of the build, with the economic impact set to positively benefit suppliers and subcontractors in the local area.

"Once operational, the scheme will deliver approximately 50 local full-time and part-time jobs."

Strabane independent councillor, Paul Gallagher, welcomed the company's plans.

"This is long-awaited," he said. "We have been crying for years for this site to get occupied.

"Congratulations (to the company) for the expansion as well."

He proposed that councillors support the recommendation to grant planning approval.

Seconding the proposal, Sperrin SDLP councillor Jason Barr said: ‘This is a great news story especially for this business park.

"This section of the park has been lying empty now for quite a considerable amount of years, so it’s great now that this will be utilised for the benefit of Strabane and also create 50 local jobs which is another fantastic news story."

When put to a vote, the proposal to grant planning permission was unanimously supported by the committee.

Welcoming the proposed development, committee chairperson, councillor Sean Mooney said the new factory would allow for the extension of business facilities at the Business Park in Strabane and was a welcome investment in the local area.

He said he hoped the new factory would see the creation of new jobs for the town and help bring further investment into Strabane.