Officials give planned alloy wheels factory go-ahead

Officials on Highland Council have recommended that councillors approve plans for an alloy wheels factory near Fort William, which developers say will create hundreds of jobs.

Plans for the development. Picture: GFG alliance.

The GFG Alliance factory is a proposal by the company to expand on the site of their existing Lochaber Smelter, which the company say could start producing as early as 2020.

Now, planning officials have recommended that Highland Counci’s south planning applications committee, which meets later today, grants permission for the factory.

The new factory is expected to involve investment upwards of £130m and will create hundreds of jobs.

Among the officers’ suggested planning conditions is that archaeologists monitor the construction of the factory.

The plant has been proposed for land where the two battles of Inverlochy were fought in 1431 and 1645.

Last year, GFG Alliance managing director of Lochaber operations, Brian King, said: “Our ambition is for this plant to become a leader in its field, producing the most advanced products on the market and employing highly-skilled people.” “Our ambition is for this plant to become a leader in its field, producing the most advanced products on the market and employing highly-skilled people.”