PLANS have been unveiled to build more business units on the site of an ill-fated heliport which closed its doors after just three months of operation.

Launched in April 1985, the Holyhead-Dublin helicopter service promised five Irish Sea flights a day, taking less than 30 minutes.

But after the international shuttle service was grounded in June of that year, citing financial issues, the Holyhead helipad remained redundant.

Over three decades on, however, Anglesey Council has unveiled plans to build seven business units on the remaining part of the site, following the success of ten which were built last year.

Submitted by the authority itself, the planning application describes the current proposals as the second phase and would see seven new units covering a total of 982m2.

Also included in the plans is a service yard and 25 car parking spaces.

The supporting documents note: “The site was undeveloped prior to the development of the heliport and associated fire station and tanks between 1983 and 1987.

“Anecdotal evidence provided by IACC suggests that the heliport was established in 1984/1985 with commercial flights commencing in April 1985 for a period of two and a half months.

“Development of the surrounding area as part of the Penrhos Industrial Estate (later to form the Penrhos Retail Park) began between 1981 and 1983 with the construction of the first industrial buildings and council depot.

“The buildings on site associated with the heliport (including a fire station) were demolished in early 2010.”

It went on to note: “The development will help support the Energy Island Programme and the Enterprise Zone.

“It will bring forward further employment development next to the recently completed employment units (Phase 1) and will support the delivery of employment land within a safeguarded employment site at Holyhead, an identified Urban Service Centre.”

The first 10 units were completed in 2010 after Wynne Construction was commissioned to carry out the work, worth £3.9m, on behalf of the authority.

It followed a successful bid by Anglesey’s Economic Development officers for £2.3m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Welsh Government and, in a first for Anglesey, agreed an innovative joint venture – worth £1.6m – with the Welsh Government.

They have been designed to complement other EU backed business premises on the island, including the new businesses developments on the Bryn Cefni Business Park in Llangefni and the Menai Science Park, in Gaerwen.

It’s expected that the authority’s planning committee will consider the application after the summer recess.