A plan setting out the demolition of the former Ford engine factory in Waterton was recently submitted to Bridgend Council.
The factory has remained vacant since it closed in September 2020.
The demolition works are set to begin imminently and are expected to last for up to 18 months.
The works – expected to be completed by November 2025 – will be undertaken in 15 separate stages given the size of the site and the need for asbestos removal protocols.
Despite the establishment of a Welsh Government “taskforce” at the time of the closure announcement, very little has been done to address the loss of the factory and its impact on the economy of Bridgend and the wider region. At the time of posting this, there are no 100% confirmed plans for the site.
However, American tech company, Vantage, bought the site earlier this year – reportedly for a data centre. They currently operate a major data centre in Newport.
Amazon and Microsoft have previously been said to be interested in the site too.
While a repurposing of the site would no doubt be welcomed by local and national governments, a data centre would employ only a fraction of the number of people the engine plant employed.
