Wykeland submits plans for global retail logistics facility creating up to 1,500 jobs

An aerial view of the Melton West Business Park site.

LEADING developer Wykeland Group has submitted plans for a state-of-the-art global retail logistics facility that will create up to 1,500 direct jobs.

The proposed development, at Wykeland’s Melton West business park in East Yorkshire, is believed to be the biggest single job creation scheme in the Hull and Humber region for decades.

The detailed planning application submitted to East Riding of Yorkshire Council is for a hi-tech logistics facility with a footprint of 558,000 sq ft that would create 1,300-1,500 direct jobs, with up to a further 500 in the supply chain. These numbers will grow during the busiest months of operation.

During construction the development will also support over 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs directly, with an estimated 1,200 more in the supply chain during the build phase.

The facility would provide a wide range of new employment opportunities, from warehouse roles through to technologists and logistics experts, as well as management, administration and finance roles.

The Melton West site off the A63 west of Hull has been selected by the end user, a logistics operator, from several competing locations across the North of England for the £150m inward investment.

Pending planning approval, it is anticipated that construction would begin next spring and the facility would be operational in autumn 2022.

Wykeland Managing Director Dominic Gibbons said: “We are delighted to bring forward this planning application, which has resulted from 18 months of work with the end user to develop a scheme that meets their operational requirements, delivers huge economic benefits and enhances the woodland and wildlife environment on the boundary of the site.

“Melton West has been zoned in East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Local Plan for major employment uses since 1996 and we have been delivering on the council’s economic development vision for the past 15 years. During that time we have continually invested in the infrastructure on the site to ensure it is ‘oven ready’ to support sustained business growth and job creation.

“This proposal delivers on the Local Plan’s designation of the area for ‘major employment developments that use, produce, store or distribute bulky goods, complementing the smaller employment sites elsewhere in the East Riding and city of Hull’.

“Following the impact of Covid-19, the number and range of jobs this development will deliver are needed now, more than ever, and will be critical to the region’s economic recovery.

“The operator will prepare and agree an employment and training plan with the local authority, which will promote recruitment in the local area and outline opportunities for training.”

The proposed global retail logistics facility is planned for a 61-acre site, with over 40% of the area retained as green space.

The planning application also includes comprehensive proposals for the creation of a 50m-wide biodiversity and wildlife corridor, which will enhance and extend the existing 35-acre Long Plantation tree belt, which features a section of the Wolds Way and separates the village of North Ferriby from the development site.

Created in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, the proposed nine-acre buffer zone will feature four interlinked acoustic bunds, a new one kilometre footpath with interpretive signage, connecting through to the Wolds Way, and extensive new planting including trees, grasslands and wildflowers.

Mr Gibbons added: “A key element of this application is the creation of the biodiversity and wildlife corridor on the inner boundary of the development site, immediately adjacent to Long Plantation.

“These plans have been worked up in partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and will significantly enhance the existing woodland area between the business park and North Ferriby and create a very special environment for both employees on site and local residents to enjoy.

“We have a long-established partnership with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust at our Bridgehead business park near the Humber Bridge involving the development and maintenance of a woodland trail. We have used this nature trail for annual art engagement projects with local schools.”

Hull-based Wykeland recently gained planning approval from East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a 123,000 sq ft “last mile” warehouse and distribution centre on a neighbouring site at Melton West business park.

Construction of this consented development will begin before Christmas with the building of a new roundabout on Brickyard Lane, to facilitate access to and from the A63. Work on the logistics facility will start early in the new year and it is expected to be operational by next summer.

To date Wykeland has developed nearly 800,000 sq ft of warehouse, distribution and manufacturing space at Melton West business park. Currently under construction is a 110,000 sq ft new command and control centre for Humberside Police and a 40,000 sq ft head office and distribution facility for an as yet unnamed local business, both of which will be completed in 2021, while detailed consent is now in place for a further 200,000 sq ft of development.