Warehouse could bring 1,500 jobs

Lorries would leave the centre every 10 minutes at busy periods

Up to 1,500 jobs could be created at a new distribution centre near Swansea.

Plans for the warehouse, offices and roads on industrial land off Fabian Way have been passed by Neath Port Talbot's planning committee.

Three shifts of around 350 staff would work 24 hours a day packaging goods that would then be loaded on to lorries and transported across the country.

Council leader Derek Vaughan said: "This is excellent news for the economy and local people looking for jobs."

The planning application was made by Arlington Development Ltd on behalf of an unnamed company.

The company wants to develop the warehouse into a distribution centre a quarter of a mile (390m) long, at the old Delta Compton aluminium works site, next to the Visteon plant at Jersey Marine.

We hope construction work will start pretty shortly Derek Vaughan

Goods will be delivered in large volumes by suppliers - picked to fill individual orders, packed and then dispatched.

It is estimated that 350 would be employed on each three shift system, seven days week.

Lorries would come and go at a rate of up to one every ten minutes during busy periods.

Councillor Vaughan added: "I'm delighted that the application was passed unanimously.

"The company wants to build the distribution centre as soon as possible.

"We hope construction work will start pretty shortly so the company can then start recruiting.

"I would hope that these jobs will be mainly filled by local people living in the Neath Port Talbot and surrounding area."

Arlington Development has declined to comment at this stage, stating its application was commercially sensitive.