Long-standing calls to develop a former aircraft factory that's been empty for 21 years look like they may finally be heeded.
The former Saunders Roe factory in Llanfaes, near Beaumaris , remains largely derelict despite its rich history as part of the Second World War effort.
As things stood, progress was unlikely as it was not included in Anglesey 's blueprint for development in the county, determining what should be built and where.
But calls have been made for collaboration between the current owners and Anglesey council for the site to be earmarked for development.
According to its current owners, the site could potentially be used for a mixed commercial and affordable housing development while also answering calls for more homes for younger people in the area.
With the potential closure of Beaumaris primary school on the cards, there are fears that the town will become less appealing to younger people as a place to live and work. Anglesey already has the second oldest population in Wales according to average age per head of population.
Work to build the Saunders Roe factory started in 1941 after it was deemed that the then Isle of Wight base of aero and marine engineering company Saunders Roe was too close to the front line.
A site near Beaumaris, perched on the banks of the Menai Strait, was deemed ideal and a factory was built there, going on to convert American Catalina flying boats for the use of the RAF for anti-submarine work.
At its height, 2,000 people worked on the site, with many bussed in from all over North Wales.
Following the war, the business was adapted to manufacture buses, torpedo boats and a whole host of aluminium-related engineering products, before becoming part of Westland helicopters during the early 1960s.
Later that decade, the Anglesey site was merged with Cammell Laird and became Laird (Anglesey) Ltd.
It went on to produce landing craft and assault boats for the British forces in the Falklands as well as ship radar aerials, airport fuel tankers and air bridges.
Other vehicle manufacturers took over the site, but it closed for good in 1997 after owners Faun Specialist Vehicles opened their new factory in Llangefni.
Head of Regulation and Economic Development, Dylan Williams, said: “This is a brown field employment site, which used to play a considerable, and important role in the local economy in terms of employment and economic benefit.
“However, the site has not been allocated for a specific use, in terms of planning policy, and is outside of the development boundary, despite being close to the village of Llanfaes.
"It is also located within the Anglesey AONB – and any proposed use would need to take its special features into full consideration. Sustaining and enhancing the special environmental features would be of critical importance.”
But he added: “If the site was cleared of derelict buildings and any possible land contamination issues, it would have the potential for major enhancement and improvement.
"However, a number of policy considerations would need careful consideration and considerable justification within any potential planning application for a future development.
“We recognise that this area is very dependant on tourism, but has limited capacity, sites, or land availability for business development and growth.
"We are currently collaborating with the land owners to better understand potential redevelopment options and opportunities.”
But Cllr Lewis Davies, one of the local members representing the Seiriol ward, has urged caution while also raising concerns over the possibility of land contamination issues.
He says that in 2017, as a member of the Joint Local Development Plan (JLDP) panel, he resisted calls to include the site within the plan until more is known over any potential issues.
"Some pressure was placed on me to vote against officers and to include the site within the plan, but I refused on a basis of principle," he said.
"In my view, it wouldn't be right to develop the site without a thorough assessment of any chemical contamination as we're talking about people's health here."
Despite this, Rhys Davies of Cadnant Planning, who are acting as agents on behalf of the site owners, Excelsior Commercial and Industrial Holdings, has welcomed the opportunity to talk to the council over the site.
“It’s unfortunate that the opportunity to address this site was not incorporated into the local development plan," he said.
"However, we remain very keen to work with the council to come up with a viable regeneration and re-development master plan for the site.
"We are hopeful of making further progress in 2019 and believe that the only viable way of re mediating this site is through a commercially sound mixed use development which can deliver employment, new homes including much needed affordable housing and tourism related uses.”
Seirol ward councillor and economic development cabinet member for Anglesey, Carwyn Jones, added: “I fully support seeing the site developed, the Lairds site had well over 1,000 workers during the 1960s and to reverse the demographic trend we have seen, we need keep and attract young families to the Seiriol Ward.
“For me this site can hold the key. We need to be positive, work together and fully support the owners to clean up the site and look at future possibilities, which hopefully could include a mixed use site, creating local jobs and affordable housing.
“We have been in discussion with the owners and the council now for years regarding this site and are now seeing some positive moves.”
Cllr Alwyn Rowlands, who sits on Beaumaris Town Council, added: “Developing this site on a mixed use basis is a must and cannot be allowed to end up being a missed opportunity.
"Development of light industrial activity alongside affordable and social housing will work well for the area.”
He added: “Industrial activity of a high-tech land and marine focused basis alongside local housing will bring improved opportunities for younger families which in turn will assist in re-balancing the local demographic levels.
"The owners of the site want to work with the community and we want to help them to underpin a more prosperous future for everyone in the Seiriol Ward.”
