LAFARGE has announced they are ending manufacturing capability at the Westbury works.
Following the mothballing of the site’s cement manufacturing operations in February 2009, Lafarge has now stated that it will be decommissioning the two kilns and therefore ending the site’s clinker manufacturing capability. Demolition of some areas of the site is set to follow, a process which could include the removal of the iconic chimney.
Lafarge say that the decision has been made as a result of the deterioration in the market, and the continuing tough cost conditions faced by the company. David Simms, land and planning director for Lafarge Cement UK said, “The company thinks that the ongoing recession and the depression in the construction industry has been a continuing one and Lafarge needs to adjust its production to suit. It’s a reaction to the economic circumstances.”
Lafarge has now started discussions with Wiltshire Council to discuss the future of the site. Lafarge Cement UK’s managing director Erdogan Pekenc says, “We are aware that there has been some speculation about the works, so we are making an early announcement of our intentions. At this stage, we will be consulting with key stakeholders, such as Wiltshire Council and Environment Agency, as the future programme for the site is developed.
“Throughout this detailed process, we will be drawing on our experience and successful track record in completing decommissioning and restoration projects.”
Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire, said “I very much regret this decision which is a blow to Westbury and employment prospects in the area. I note the residual functions at Lafarge that are anticipated by the company and will be talking with Wiltshire Council to see what more can be achieved.”
Mayor of Westbury, cllr Christine Mitchell said, “Personally speaking, I think people had resigned themselves to the fact it wasn’t going to open again. Hopefully most of those who became unemployed last year have now found employment. I shall miss it: it’s something we always recognise when we come into Westbury and you know that you’re home.”
Lafarge activities
in Westbury
The company has been operating a bulk and bagged cement distribution depot from the site, which it will continue to do so in the future. The existing depot and logistics positions are unaffected by the announcement, and there will be no changes for the 21 staff currently employed on the site. Lafarge’s Erdogan Pekenc said, “It is clearly with much regret that clinker manufacturing at the site is drawn to a close. However, as a year has now passed in the site’s new role as a depot, it is continuing to play an important role in our national supply network. We remain committed to supplying our customers with high quality products from the site.”
As part of the proposals, Lafarge also plans to maintain the site’s cement mills for grinding and blending cement products using material transported from the company’s other UK cement works.
The future of the site
There are no immediate plans to demolish the chimney, but unless a future use requires the facility, appropriate means of demolishing the chimney will be investigated. John Hernon, national planning manager of Lafarge explained, “A chimney is a chimney – technically it can be used for anything. So if something was to be introduced on the site which needed to have exhaust gas escapers then it could be put to use. My view is that it is unlikely that the chimney would be suitable for any future use on site.”
Lafarge is currently in discussion with Wiltshire Council and other stakeholders regarding the future opportunities for the site. The process of decommissioning and demolition of the plant is a long and complicated process, and such discussions have only just started. As a result, Lafarge say they are unable to give a definite timescale on the plans for the site. John Hernon of Lafarge said, “Until we know what the future layout of the works is going to be, in raw terms, we can’t start demolitions – for example of the chimney – because it might take out buildings we need to retain.” He added that his personal guess was that they would start planning a series of demolitions in one to two years.
Restoration work on the landscape around the quarries will be carried out in the future after consultation with the Ministry of Defence, who own the land.
Any future use of the site would have to be compatible with the remaining cement activities on the site. The whole Westbury cement works site has been identified by Wiltshire Council as a potential strategic waste management site in the current proposed ‘waste development framework’. If this is progressed then it is possible that some form of waste treatment facility could be introduced, subject to compatibility with continued cement operations. Lafarge say that they are committed to open communications and will ensure that all local stakeholders are informed of future plans for the site once they have been finalised. Should future plans require planning consent, the public and all stakeholders would have the opportunity to make comment through the normal planning process.
