A controversial �48m development at a cement plant in north Wales will officially get under way on Thursday, following a lengthy planning wrangle.

The construction of the kiln in Castle Cement's Padeswood plant in Flintshire will safeguard 218 jobs.

They can actually see now that it is finally going to happen

Tony Allan Castle Cement

The Welsh Assembly approved the plans in March - despite opposition from campaigners who feared it could lead to an increase in harmful emissions.

Bosses at the plant had warned that the site could close if the facility was rejected.

Local politicians and community groups are expected to attend the sod-cutting ceremony which represents the start of the project.

Tony Allan, general manager of the site, said the development has already boosted morale at the plant.

"There are a couple of diggers out there already and the atmosphere amongst the workforce is fantastic.

Tony Allan is looking forward to the development

"They can actually see now that it is finally going to happen.

"This is one of the most important developments for manufacturing industry in Wales, putting us at the forefront of cement production throughout the world."

Managers at the site claim the scheme will safeguard the jobs and, during the development stage, up to 500 people will be employed indirectly.

The application for the project was first put forward in 1999 and initially approved by Flintshire County Council in February 2000.

However, it has been dogged by controversy and the plans were called in by the assembly following opposition on environmental grounds.

Environment

A public inquiry was then launched, which ended more than a year ago.

The kiln is designed to run on Cemfuel, a controversial concoction of waste solvents and chemicals - which protesters fear will pollute the environment.

However, Castle Cement managers claim it will help solve environmental problems by making safe and efficient use of new fuels.

The company are working with the Environment Agency to ensure all environmental aspects of the project are approved.

The kiln is expected to be finished by 2005.