A South Humber Bank industrial park is undergoing improvements as it is opened up thanks to major public investment, with interest anticipated to rocket.
Humber Gate, the former Courtaulds plant on the outskirts of Grimsby, already benefits from enterprise zone status along with neighbouring sites.
With a new road bringing quicker and easier access to the national motorway network, the owner and manager of the 124-acre site are carrying out their own improvements.
David Garness, managing director of Hull-based chartered surveyors Garness Jones, said the link road will support new inward investment and job creation and will dovetail with other major investment in the area, including the wider Grimsby Town Deal regeneration scheme and the £40-million South Humber Industrial Investment Project (SHIIP).
Mr Jones said: “The South Bank of the Humber has become a magnet for major investment with the Humber LEP and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP committing significant funds.
“Garness Jones has been appointed to market and manage the site, which means our agency team and property management department will work in partnership to make sure it is ready for the new arrivals likely to be encouraged by the business incentives and the much-improved access.”
In addition to the attractions of enterprise zone status and improved transport links which Humber Gate shares with other developments, the site offers the benefits of an Engie gas-fired power station providing surplus power and steam, plus high levels of site security and great variety of available space.
Current vacant plots range from just under half an acre to nearly 20 acres, suitable for heavy industrial uses, manufacturing, logistics, open storage and renewable energy.
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One potential £2 million investment is already being put forward by FBM Metals Ltd to create a new zinc processing facility, creating 25 new jobs, with other plans for various energy and fuel from waste plants.
Mr Jones said: “We are looking after the vacant sites and common areas including the gatehouse, weighbridge and spinal road and working to improve the services and general appearance of the site. That means working with the occupiers to create an environment that benefits their businesses.
“Humber Gate has an excellent location, close to the ports of Grimsby and Immingham, Humberside Airport and the motorway network, and the new link road will cut journey times further.”
Work began earlier this year on the road which will enhance the existing private road between Moody Lane and the new Humber Gate Enterprise Junction and connect it with Hobson Way in Stallingborough. The project will see 1.5km of road upgraded and a further 1km constructed, with completion due in summer 2020.
Cllr John Fenty, cabinet member for regeneration at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m delighted to see the Humber Link Road, one of the South Humber Industrial Investment Programme projects, is well under way and will revolutionise traffic movement between the ports of Immingham and Grimsby.
“Importantly, this road will reduce traffic congestion on the A180 and enable access to six sites around Stallingborough totalling over 460 acres once completed in June 2020.
“Additionally, as part of the SHIIP programme, we have acquired additional land to create the first of five ecological mitigation sites which will greatly simplify the planning process for inward investors. Construction on the first 100 acre site, now known as Cress Marsh, was completed in December.
“As a council, we are committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of North East Lincolnshire, and the South Humber work, funded through a number of sources including both Local Economic Partnerships in the area, will greatly help to support new and existing business, transform transport infrastructure, and create new jobs.”