VAG SUPERMARKET

Signs of things to come ? This is how vag will be selling vehicles in the future

A £9.5 MILLION plan has been unveiled for a massive car showroom on a former factory site, bringing up to 200 jobs.

VW Group UK want to put up three buildings and forecourts on the Welsh Government-owned former Hotpoint factory site in Llandudno Junction.

This would create a multibrand “retail plaza” for Audi, VW, VW Commercial, Skoda and Seat.

Last night, the developer said the plan was “massively positive” for Llandudno Junction.

A VW Group UK spokesman directed calls to Ian Rutter, managing director of CJ Automotives which would operate the car showrooms for VW.

Mr Rutter said at least 125 jobs are envisaged and added: “We didn’t want to raise everyone’s expectations but we would like 200 jobs.”

He would be “very disappointed” if it doesn’t reach that figure.

He added: “If we look at our single franchise, VW site in Warrington we employ 110 people. The average wage for our employees is above the national average. All these people (in Llandudno Junction) would have disposable income to spend in the locality.”

But Conwy County Councillor Meirion Hughes criticised the scheme for using lots of land but not creating enough jobs.

He is unhappy that only 125 people would be employed there – with only a possible 39 new posts among that total. The rest would be transferred from existing sites on Anglesey and in Abergele.

He believes that 660 people should be employed on such a large site.

Cllr Hughes said: “Given its strategic location and Llandudno Junction’s status as a hub for growth, it is reasonable to expect a minimum of 660 jobs from that land use.”

He has formally objected that the proposal constitutes “inefficient use” of the land, is contrary to national planning policies and he is critical of the Welsh Government who own the land – which is beside their North Wales HQ.

He added: “I believe other parties interested in the site could bring a significant jobs dividend to Llandudno Junction, such as a major housing association looking to build its HQ on the site, which has been frustrated in the past.

“The issue needs full public scrutiny and challenge.

“I find it bizarre that the Welsh Government appears to favour disposing of this huge chunk of (previously developed) land for such a low jobs ratio whilst proposing development of the greenfield Esgyryn site in Llandudno Junction.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We would not comment on a planning application that is ongoing.”

Conwy County Council said the closing date for anyone to make representations about the car showroom application was yesterday.