IQE relocation plans set for approval

Plans for a £38m new site for Welsh semiconductor technology company IQE are poised for the green light after council officers recommended them for approval.The plans for the site include provision of staff and visitor car and cycle parking, an external plant compound, sprinkler tanks, refrigeration units, external alterations to the existing building and the creation of a new access route on to Celtic Way.The application is Phase 2 of the CS Cluster Project, which seeks to develop a hub of facilities in South Wales for research, development, education into and manufacturing of compound semi-conductors.The manufacturer signed an agreement with the authorities that makes up the Cardiff Capital Region in September 2017 to develop a compound semiconductor industry cluster at the site, with the CCR to contribute £37.9m from the CCR City Deal’s Wider Investment Fund.The Newport facility will be owned by the ten councils in the regional cabinet through special purpose vehicle CSC Foundry Ltd, or ‘LDC Ffowndri Cyn’, and the space leased to IQE for compound semiconductor manufacturing and applications development.