3,000 jobs to be created as Goole distribution development receives green light

Property developers Sterling Capitol and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have been given the go-ahead for an employment and distribution development in Goole.

The outline planning consent, which was granted in principle in February this year, has now been fully approved by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

The development is set to create 3,000 new jobs in Goole and the East Riding.

There are two elements included in the planned development by Junction 36 of the M62. The first is Goole 36, which comprises a total of 96.4 acres across a larger area of the overall site, promoted by the HCA for direct development.

Capitol Park, which covers 32 acres and is owned by Sterling Capitol, is the second. This offers design and build development opportunities, together with retail units on the northern end of the site by the M62.

Occupiers at Capitol Park Goole already include Tesco, Drax and Guardian Glass.

Mike Heydecke, director of Sterling Capitol, commented: “This is tremendous news. Although our proposals were approved in principle in February, there were a number of planning conditions and hurdles, including a Section 106 agreement, still to be sorted out.

“These have all now been satisfied. Now we can crack on with this exciting development, which will provide a much-needed boost to the area’s economy.

“Together, Goole 36 and Capitol Park will include a mix of industrial property and warehouse units, together with retail and leisure facilities and car showrooms – plus a 100-bed hotel.

“The 2.14 million sq ft site has direct access to the M62 and the Port of Goole and sits within the Humber Enterprise Zone with potential for a dedicated rail link.”

The decision follows an initial outline application for the site in 2008, which was deferred. Since then, the HCA has replaced the previous development partner, Yorkshire Forward, funding Phase 2 of the spine road along with additional money from the European Regional Development Fund, which completes the link from junction 36 of the M62 and runs through the site to the Port of Goole.

Mike Heydecke added: “This is a significant development for us, underlining our commitment to Capitol Park Goole. As a company, we are extremely proud of what we have achieved in Yorkshire. Job creation is at the heart of our plans and we have developed some of the most impressive business parks in Yorkshire, with an excellent mix of tenants and facilities.

“Premier business locations like our Capitol Parks at Goole, Leeds and Barnsley remain popular in a testing economic climate. To underline this, we are currently in talks with a number of high-profile retail occupiers, who are interesting in taking space at Capitol Park Goole.”

Iain McPhail, industrial property partner with Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “One of the most exciting elements of this development is the potential for bespoke design and build opportunities.

“The combination of an excellent location, competitive labour costs and a skilled workforce is very enticing. Given there is a pent-up demand for quality industrial, logistics and warehousing space by the M62 in the East Riding, we are confident there will be strong interest in the design and build opportunities at Capitol Park Goole.”

Nick Fillingham, associate director at Indigo Planning, who advised Sterling Capitol and HCA, commented: “Goole 36 and Capitol Park now represent a major opportunity in the East Riding area, offering significant potential for employment and distribution development on a strategic site close to the M62 and the ports at Goole, Grimsby, Immingham and Hull.

“Their location within the country’s largest Enterprise Zone is a clear signal of the growth opportunities they represent and the creation of over 3,000 new jobs will provide a significant boost to the local economy.”

Scott Morrison, senior surveyor in the Yorkshire industrial and logistics team at Cushman and Wakefield, concluded: “The planning approval is a significant moment for Goole 36 as a development. Goole 36 is one of the most exciting opportunities in East Riding of Yorkshire to provide occupiers with the opportunity to acquire a strategic site with multi modal connectivity to the major road infrastructure, the ports and also rail connectivity.

“The culmination of hard work from the various partners involved along with our client the HCA and the additional support from the European Regional Development Fund for the road infrastructure has really put Junction 36 of the M62 on the map as a strategic location whilst hopefully creating a significant amount of jobs for the wider Goole area.”