The new glass factory owned by Sean Quinn in the UK will be served notice as early as 24 April 2009 instructing it to cease production and level the plant, as per a court order from the Cheshire West …
The new glass factory owned by Sean Quinn in the UK will be served notice as early as 24 April 2009 instructing it to cease production and level the plant, as per a court order from the Cheshire West and Chester local authority. The enforcement notice must be served in person by the council to the Quinn Glass headquarters in Co. Fermanagh. The council would not inform with regards to the timeframe within which Quinn Glass must comply with the order until the notice has been served. It will not, however, certainly not direct immediate cessation of operations. Construction of the GBP 260 million Quinn Glass factory near Chester, which employs about 500 people, began in 2004 on receipt of planning permission for a development on a 205-acre site. Quinn Glass then requested permission to extend the development, but carried out construction of the extended facility before approval had been received. The local council granted new planning permission, which was subsequently quashed by consent. The enforcement order of 22 April was issued as a result of a High Court ruling in London earlier in April following proceedings brought by Ardagh Glass against Quinn Glass and two former local councils. Ardagh Glass operates a factory close to the Quinn facility and welcomed the enforcement notice. The judge hearing the case in April declined to consent to Ardagh“s application that the local councils should be prevented from granting retrospective planning for the Quinn Glass plant. However, the enforcement order can now only be rescinded by the UK secretary of state, who can also only grant retrospective planning permission in exceptional circumstances. Ardagh said on 22 April that possible loss of commercial and financial benefits would not constitute such circumstances. A spokesman for Quinn Glass said the company was not available for comments until it has been formally served with the enforcement notice. However, it is almost certain that the company will appeal the order to the secretary of state.