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We want to develop the site at Baglan Bay.

First published:
28 January 2025
Last updated:

What we are doing

We have acquired the former BP Chemicals site at Baglan Bay to enable the creation of a major strategic development site for Port Talbot and southwest Wales.

Why we are doing it

The Baglan site offers an opportunity to drive regeneration in southwest Wales and beyond.

Its size and location make it ideal for economic, environmental, and social development. The site is:

  • in the Swansea Bay City Region
  • close to Swansea University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David
  • near neighbouring major businesses like Tata Steel

Redeveloping the site could:

  • help create high-quality jobs
  • support research, development, and innovation
  • improve biodiversity and access to natural assets

History of the site

The site has a long industrial history. It was home to the BP chemical works, which operated from the early 1960s until its closure in 2004. When operational, it was one of the largest petrochemical facilities in Europe.

Exploring opportunities

The Baglan site has the potential to transform the area by enabling the creation of jobs and training in future-focused industries, such as:

  • high-value manufacturing
  • green energy production, in line with our Manufacturing Action Plan
  • net zero opportunities, including hydrogen and floating offshore wind

We are considering a variety of development scenarios. These take into account:

  • policy, environmental, and economic factors
  • the remediation required for a large brownfield site

This work is guided by the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations Act (WBFGA). These goals underpin the project and regeneration programme, including:

  • responding to the nature and climate emergencies declared by Welsh Government ministers
  • creating new landscapes that reflect the character of the area

Opportunities we are exploring

We are exploring opportunities to:

  • deliver an end use that provides high quality and productive jobs and opportunities for research and development
  • diversify economic activity away from a reliance on heavy industry to increase economic resilience  
  • create a safe and higher quality environment to live, work and invest in
  • create inclusive opportunities for local people around skills, training and employment, which reduce existing inequalities
  • deliver well-connected and accessible opportunities
  • protect the site’s heritage and area’s identity, and promote recreational use
  • embed circular economy principles throughout development and capitalise on natural resources
  • deliver wider WG objectives and policies such as place making, quality design and development of a new place in the region

Current progress

We are carrying out work to understand the challenges linked to the site’s industrial history. This includes:

  • ecological surveys
  • groundwater monitoring
  • ground investigations

The findings will help inform a remediation strategy for the site.

The remediation strategy will guide options for future regeneration and redevelopment, including the creation of:

  • a development strategy
  • an energy strategy

How we are engaging

We are committed to delivering a meaningful, long-term legacy for the local community. As plans progress for phasing, delivery and initial master-planning, we will:

  • involve local communities
  • collaborate with key stakeholders

We are currently developing plans for a consultation process with local stakeholders and communities. This will focus on identifying the best options for the site’s future use, aiming to:

  • address local economic and social challenges
  • support Port Talbot and the wider area transition to a low-carbon, net-zero economy

Timetable

Site investigation works: early 2025 to mid 2026
Remediation strategy and pre-development work: early 2023 to early 2027