Willenhall recycling plant set for jobs boost

DS Smith, based in the Rose Hill Industrial Estate, will also carry out some building works at the site as part of expansion plans, after gaining permission from Walsall Council.

Bosses told planners that removing operating time restrictions currently in place will create at least 10 new jobs at the Willenhall facility.

The building work that will be carried out involves the installation of a second weighbridge, changes to the car park layout and a new vehicle barrier for employee and customer cars.

The firm currently employs 22 people at Willenhall, which operates as a paper and plastics recycling and reclamation facility.

It is part of DS Smith’s global operation, which sees sites in 37 countries employing a total of 28,500 people.

A report to planners said: “The application seeks planning permission that establishes how the site is currently used and for some additional minor development associated with the future expansion of the business.

“The business currently employs 22 staff on site. The majority of its employees live within the surrounding area.

“DS Smith are an established local employer that makes an important contribution to the local economy.

“The hogger machine (i.e. the plant use for shredding recyclable material) is presently operational from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.

“In addition to the minor works, it is proposed that there will be no time restrictions relating to operations across the site.

“This measure alone will generate an additional 10 full-time jobs once fully operational.”

It added: “The proposed minor development and removal of operational restrictions would generate additional employment opportunities from an existing and operational industrial site, therefore addressing the core policy objectives relating to jobs creation.

“It would also not cause adverse impacts to the occupiers of the surrounding properties.”