Norbord wood panel factory near Inverness planning third production increase in as many years
Norbord is seeking a variation in planning permission to increase production.
The firm was granted permission for an expansion last year – as part of a £35 million investment which followed a £130 million investment in improvements and expansion in 2018.
A planning appraisal submitted to Highland Council stated: “The proposals represent a considerable investment within the Highlands that would not only safeguard existing jobs but also create additional employment opportunities related to the creation of substantially higher volumes of product.
“It will provide for a more sustainable and efficient modern plant.”
Norbord, which converts truckloads of logs into orientated strand board (OSB) wants to increase production from 750,000 cubic metres per year to 840,000 cubic metres per year. This would mean 35 more trucks per day at the factory.
And for worker safety reasons it wants to increase the height of parts of the plant called the abort stack and the transfer tower by 1.95 metres to 50.8 metres high.
Norbord consultants stated: “These changes in height are required to ensure worker safety and safe access to the relevant plant items at that location. It is imperative to ensure personnel safety in the event of any emergency.”
A Norbord spokesman said: “Many of the economic benefits highlighted within the previous application and related consent, have now been successfully realised – this proposal is looking to build upon this positive progress.”
Council planners will consider amended environmental statements on emissions and noise, but Norbord’s consultants added: “Potential environmental impacts have been considered and no significant impacts are anticipated.”
