EASTSIDE politicians have welcomed the prospect of
new jobs at the city's dry docks.
It comes after the Environment Agency said it was
likely to award a permit to a ship breaking and repair company there.
But local councillors have also urged the agency to
closely monitor the site at Phoenix
Wharf
"I wish them well, and I hope that they employ
some local people and keep the place tidy. I am mindful we might get ships that
no one else wants."
He said his only real concern was the site's
proximity to a fertiliser storage plant. Swansea Drydocks has said any risk of
explosion is considered to be insignificant and that fire breaks will be placed
around combustible materials.
Fellow St Thomas councillor Mervyn Jones backed job
creation but was not convinced a shipbreaking and repair yard was the best
thing for the SA1 area.
"With the economic climate as it is any work
is good — but at what cost?" he said. "As long as the Environment
Agency keeps monitoring, that's fine."
An agency spokesman said: "We have given
careful consideration to this application and we have drafted a permit which
requires Swansea Drydocks to conform to the highest environmental standards and
to operate in a way which will protect the community and environment."
The company has planning permission to use Phoenix Wharf
The long-term aim was to recruit and train a
full-time workforce.
"The company aims to cover the full life cycle
of a ship, from conducting surveys and ongoing repair and maintenance through
to recycling," said a spokeswoman.
"We are committed to creating a world-class
ship repair and recycling facility."
The firm's plans have caused some upset, though.
Corinne McGill, of Port Tennant, said: "It's not good. We have got more
than enough dirty industry in the docks."
Source: This is South Wales . By Richard
Youle. (richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk).
28 October 2011
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/City-s-cautious-welcome-dry-docks-firm/story-13686703-detail/story.html
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