A SAWMILL in the New Forest is facing closure with a number of jobs likely to be lost. 

BSW Group, which is headquartered in Earlston in the Scottish Borders, has announced the proposed shutdown of its site in Bartley, on the outskirts of Southampton. 

The mill, which dates back to 1942, could potentially shut on July 14 and would become the latest BSW location to cease operations following Boat of Garten in the Cairngorms National Park last year. 

READ MORE: Boat of Garten sawmill loses fight to stay open as BSW confirms closure

Mike Lomas, group operations director at BSW, said: "BSW Group has carried out a strategic review of current and future demand, with a requirement to maximise efficiencies and align operational activities across the group.

"The output from that review is the proposal to cease operations at the Southampton site.

"We are now commencing a redundancy consultation which will affect all employees on site."

The New Forest site was only purchased by BSW in 2014, having previously operated under the RF Giddings & Co name. At the time, BSW chiefs said they were excited to "double production" at the location, which had been family owned for more than seven decades. 

According to BSW, the mill can process lengths from 2.4m to 6m and produces 50,000m3 of sawn timber each year.

Mike added: "Discussions are ongoing to review alternative uses for the site, alongside the consultation process with employees.

"In the meantime, BSW Group will do its best to support affected employees during this difficult time.

"If the outcome of the proposal is to close the site, BSW will provide access to a thirdparty outplacement company who can help with CVs and the process of finding alternative employment."

BSW, which was recently acquired by Austrian timber company Binderholz, has elsewhere announced plans to expand its mill in Powys, Wales. 

A planning application has been lodged with Powys County Council by the BSW Group for two new buildings and associated works to be built at the company's sawmill near Newbridge-on-Wye.

The village is five miles from Llandrindod Wells.

READ MORE: Log input capacity could be nearly doubled at BSW's 'super sawmill' site

The two new buildings and associated works would allow BSW to increase their log input capacity from 200,000 cubic metres (m3) to 360,000 cubic metres.

The scheme would take the number of workers at the saw mill up to 145 from 115.

The buildings would have gross inside areas of 820 square metres and 1,640 square metres.