Plans in for major job-creating logistics facility

Plans have been lodged for a major new retail logistics facility in East Yorkshire that could support the creation of up to 1,500 direct jobs.Wykeland Group has submitted a detailed planning application submitted to East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a development at its Melton West business park.The proposed logistics facility would have a footprint of 558,000 sq ft.The facility could create between 1,300 and 1,500 direct jobs, with up to a further 500 in the supply chain. These numbers are expected to grow during the busiest months of operation.It would provide a range of new employment opportunities, from warehouse roles through to technologists and logistics experts, as well as management, administration and finance roles.During construction the development would also support more than 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs directly, with an estimated 1,200 more in the supply chain during the build phase.The Melton West site off the A63 west of Hull has been selected by the end user, an unnamed logistics operator, from several competing locations across the North of England for the £150m inward investment.Pending planning approval, construction is expected to begin in spring 2021 and the facility would be operational in autumn 2022.The proposed global retail logistics facility is planned for a 61-acre site, with more than 40 per cent 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, intended to 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.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.