A defence firm has submitted proposals to convert a former chemical plant in Cowdenbeath into a factory producing weapons components.<\/p>\n
TBG International is proposing to convert the former Mossmorran chemical plant into an energetics manufacturing facility.<\/p>\n
The Fife Ethylene Plant near Cowdenbeath ceased production in February after its owner ExxonMobil said it was no longer financially viable.<\/p>\n
More than 400 staff were affected by the closure. The energy giant said it anticipates it will take until 2028 to fully decommission the site and make it safe for dismantling.<\/p>\n
Energetic materials are the explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics that are key components in weapons.<\/p>\n
The proposals would see the construction of process buildings, earth-covered storage magazines with associated earthworks, ancillary buildings, access, parking, landscaping, drainage and associated infrastructure.<\/p>\n
They would also see existing offices and warehouses at the site altered and re-used.<\/p>\n
TBG International submitted a pre-application screening request to Fife Council last month.<\/p>\n
A letter from Fife Council to the defence firm indicates the proposed development will require an environmental impact assessment to be carried out.<\/p>\n
The letter states this is because the proposal constitutes Schedule 1 development under the EIA Regulations, namely an integrated chemical installation for the manufacture, on an industrial scale, of substances using chemical conversion processes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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