Industrial park plan puts jobs boost on cards
AN industrial park that could create 1,500 jobs is on the cards for a site in Carmarthenshire or Neath.
The managing director of Halal Industries UK told the Post the company hoped to bring a £150 million Super Halal Industrial Park (Ship) to the area as soon as possible, with Carmarthenshire or Neath Port Talbot its preferred site.
Mahesh Jayanarayan said 1,500 jobs would be created by the park, with a further 1,500 created indirectly.
"Our ideal place would be in Carmarthenshire or Neath," he said.
"We have met with the Welsh Development Authority (WDA), and they have been very helpful and supportive.
"We are in discussions with a number of people, and we are very confident we will get this project off the ground as soon as possible."
Mr Jayanarayan said the park would include the key areas of meat processing, dairy, pharmaceuticals and food additives.
"We want easy access to the M4," he said.
"We have had a very good reception from the business community, the local councils and the WDA. I am very happy.
"It is now about the choice of land, but it is about getting planning permission and getting consent."
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President of Neath Chamber of Trade Keith Harding said he would welcome such a business with open arms — providing it was set up in the right spot.
"I would encourage them to come to the Neath Port Talbot area, because any extra jobs being created out there would be more than welcome," he said.
It is believed Llanelli is also being considered as a possible site.
Llanelli MP Nia Griffith said she hoped the company would buy meat from Welsh farmers.
"Any enterprise which is going to be using local produce and providing local jobs is very much to be welcomed," she said.
"I would like to see it set up locally.
"If they want to set up near the motorway, there are two obvious sites — Dafen or Cross Hands."
Llanelli town Mayor John Jenkins said he was keeping his fingers crossed that Halal Industries UK would come to the town.
"A jobs boost on that scale would be an absolutely fantastic shot in the arm for the town, and I hope it will give opportunities to local people," he said.
"I hope the economic department at the county council supports the company in bringing it to the town."
An Assembly spokesman said: "We are aware the company has expressed an interest in investing in Wales, and have met with them to hear their proposals.
"However, these are clearly tentative proposals at their very early stages of development."
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by john, newport. south wales
Monday, March 29 2010, 6:57PM
“I checked out the website of the parent company behind this development. They insist they will only proceed with the project if they can win SUNSTANTIAL TAX ADVANTAGES for their sharia investors.
I wonder if I could secure the same deal for a pork pie factory ?”
by Meirion, Llandybie
Monday, March 29 2010, 10:33AM
“As most of our well paid skilled jobs are being sold abroad where deserting companies are receiving millions to expand in Central Europe, any jobs to the area has to be welcomed.
Let us not forget that the WDA pumped millions into Dawn Pack in Cross Hands. It was a flagship project that was to employ 650 jobs. What was not said, nor declared, was that over 50% was for migrant workers.
The farming industry is in crisis, therefore, should this go ahead local farmers MUST be taken into consideration.
In a follow up story in print and not online I read words of Plaid's Helen Mary Jones scoring political points.
This AM should remember how her farming family allowed cattle and calves extreme suffering as they starved, died and putrified in fields above Pontyberem.”
by Poo-litical, Swansea
Sunday, March 28 2010, 9:25PM
“So the Loony Tunes from the BNP are still rattling off their shameless rants about Muslims!? Why!? Because they are still a Racist Party, still a bigoted Party and still a Party that is the same anti-none white immigration, one trick pony it has always been!
Poor deluded Kevin Edwards is under some illusion that the British people agree with his Party's Politics! Just because there has been X amount of hits on the BNP website, most to find out what their latest Porky Pies are and to laugh out loud at their so called 'Policies' and these are the real reasons why the BNP gets the hits!”
by john, swansea
Saturday, March 27 2010, 6:58PM
“Muslims will not want the local people working there it will be all muslim workers thats just the way it is nothing to do with race . cruel way to kill sheep they are put on a cradle one man puts his foot on the sheep and the other cuts its throat (can only be trouble)”
by Peter, Neath
Friday, March 26 2010, 10:32PM
“I think people need to do a little basic research before resorting to the keyboard.
For meat to be considered Halal the slaughter itself must be done by a sane (mentally competent) adult Muslim. Some Muslims also consider it acceptable to eat the meat slaughtered by "People of the Book" (i.e, Christians and Jews¿) However, since Christians do not read anything before slaughtering the animal, their food is not considered Halal.
This would indicate that non-Muslims may slaughter animals in the Halal tradition, providing they utter the required words.
It would also indicate that jobs involving the butchery of the carcass may be carried out by anyone ¿ so possibly lots of non-Muslim jobs may well be available
Is it permissible for the animal to be stunned prior to being killed? If so, I see no problem with the proposed facility”
by anon, Neath
Friday, March 26 2010, 10:14PM
“I am not a BNP supporter but I have to support Councillor Kevin Edwards views on this.
His comments are very accurate of what will happen if or when this development goes ahead.”
by Larry, Wales
Friday, March 26 2010, 6:39PM
“Told ya Kevin Edwards would not answer the question, what if the managing director of a large Shechita Industry hoped to bring a £150 million Super Shechita Industrial Park to the area? Would you and your fellow BNP supporters welcome such a business with open arms?
He's a ignorant bully and a pathetic coward.”
by Jeltz, Vogsphere
Friday, March 26 2010, 10:46AM
“The "1000 caravans" refers to a plan by the Barking BNP Cllrs to house Council tenants in old mobile homes.”
by anon, Neath
Friday, March 26 2010, 10:23AM
“Where has the 1000 caravans come from?
I am sure that Kev would want some local industry coming to the area for local people.”
by Larry, Wales
Friday, March 26 2010, 7:09AM
“Kev, would you instead put 1,000 caravans on the industrial park land?”