Plans submitted for 364,000 sq ft bottle factory in Cheshire 

Encirc, which manufactures and distributes glass bottles, wants to build the facility next to its existing factory off Ash Road in Elton.

The company has lodged a planning application with Cheshire West and Chester Council to develop a 364,000 sq ft automated warehouse on a 50-acre plot previously occupied by four cooling towers that served the now-demolished Ince A power station. 

There would be 15,000 sq ft of ancillary offices and a monorail providing an automated link for transporting goods from the existing warehouse to the proposed.

Encirc opened its Elton facility in 2005, since when its workforce has more than doubled from 400 to 900.

The new production line is planned as a joint initiative with Diageo, the alcoholic drinks maker. The line is due to be a ultra-low carbon, using green electricity and hydrogen. The facility is expected to start production in 2027, with a target of producing 200 millions bottles a year by 2030 for brands including Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Gordon’s and Tanqueray.

“The success and growth of Encirc have meant that a new automated warehouse is required so the business can broaden its logistical offering and keep up with the evolving requirements of its clients,” according to a planning statement prepared by Lichfields on behalf of Encirc.

Aew Architects is leading on the design of the warehouse. 

To learn more about the plans, search for reference 22/03693/FUL on CWAC’s planning portal.