GKN Works Could See New Structure Built At East Cowes Site

A multi-national aerospace company could carry out works at its East Cowes facility to enable ‘continued investment’ in the business.

GKN Aerospace has submitted a planning application to build an external mezzanine structure at its Falcon Yard building on East Cowes’s Ferry Road, to house new plant equipment.

The company’s agent, ERMC, says the proposals show a ‘strong commitment’ for GKN Aerospace to ‘remain both a key site for global manufacturing as well as securing continued employment opportunities across the Isle of Wight’.

ERMC’s Design and Access Statement says:

“GKN Aerospace Isle of Wight was established in circa. 1901 in the East Cowes area and has been a steady employer of skilled workers since that time.

“In recent years the East Cowes sites have moved towards becoming a Centre of Excellence for composite material manufacture, shifting their tooling and equipment towards delivering class leading composite manufacturing processes.

“To support and grow this aspect of the business, strong investment in new equipment is continuing to be made to ensure they have the tools available to continue in the competitive aerospace market.

“To secure new contracts and ensure the long-term stability and growth of the business, there is need to modify and expand on their existing building stock, to accommodate modern processes and manufacturing techniques.

“Much of the Ferry Road site’s buildings can be dated back to the early 1900s and so a level of change is to be expected to meet these demands.”

County Hall’s public consultation on application 25/00736/FUL closes on June 20 and a decision is expected on July 16.