A judge has retired to decide whether Europe's largest glass bottle-making factory should be demolished. Lawyers for Quinn Glass, who erected the plant at Ince, without planning permission, argued the plant was good news "for the UK economy in general" at a High Court hearing instigated by rival firm Ardagh Glass. Consent had previously been granted for a smaller plant on the site & Quinn is now hoping that retrospective planning permission will be given for the larger factory. However, competitor Ardagh is arguing for the demolition of the plant, despite planners from Chester City Council & Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council having backed it for the boost it brought to the local economy. Neil King QC, for Quinn, told Judge David Mole QC: "The factory is good for the UK economy as a whole" adding "It is the cleanest glass production factory in the UK in terms of air emissions." The five-day hearing concluded on 11 March 2009. The judge has reserved his decision until a later date.
