Amazon IS to massively expand its operations on the outskirts of Hull.
The online retail giant has confirmed plans for a huge £150 million fulfilment centre on land alongside its existing delivery station at Melton West Business Park, creating more than 1,000 jobs.
It follows a successful major planning application for a distribution and logistics operation - strongly speculated to be the global giant - almost two years ago. Construction work is now due to start next year, with operations launching in 2025, in what will be one of the biggest single additions for East Yorkshire's economy, ranking alongside the likes of the Siemens train facility at Goole.
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Key community figures have been briefed on the timeline. An Amazon spokesperson said: “We’re excited about the development and look forward to sharing more details in the future.”
A total of 70 jobs were created by Amazon at the strategic site, just off the A63, in summer 2022 when the £30 million ‘last mile’ operation went live. It was a huge expansion on original leased premises in Hull as online shopping soared. Hundreds of driver roles were also created to support the 10,000 sq m facility, as web purchases accelerated even faster through the pandemic.
The new fulfilment centre will be more than five times the size of that build, at 52,000 sq m. Approved in December 2021, and brought forward by Hull developer Wykeland, the firm behind the business park, Amazon completed the purchase of the plot, close to North Ferriby, in February 2022.
Alongside the huge number of staff - a major economic boost for the region - state-of-the-art robotics will be deployed to improve the delivery processes, increase operational efficiency and safety. Due to this advancement more skilled roles will be created in engineering. It builds on a £2.1 billion investment in Yorkshire since 2010, with more than 4,000 jobs and 60 apprentices created by Amazon.
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The application, approved by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, had attracted 1,300 objections - the majority from North Ferriby residents. But it was passed with the area having been zoned for major economic development use since 1996. Planners had heard how the fulfilment centre will operate 24/7, 365 days a year with 200 daily HGV arrivals and departures expected.
Between 1,200 and 1,500 jobs are anticipated, ramping up with seasonal additions in the Christmas run-up and other key points in the retail calendar.
Smith & Nephew also has plans for a £94 million new build at Melton for its Advanced Wound Management business unit, as it looks to move away from its long-occupied Hull site, described as heavily constrained and no longer fit for modern manufacturing requirements.
Dominic Gibbons, managing director of Wykeland Group, said: “We’re pleased that Amazon has announced that this development will soon enter the construction phase. Having successfully steered the project through planning, we concluded the sale of the site to Amazon 18 months ago. The development will now be delivered, bringing very significant economic benefits to the region.
“The Amazon retail fulfilment centre will be the latest in a series of major developments at Melton West and underlines the significance of the business park as a driver of economic growth. It also further validates the very significant long-term investments we have made in infrastructure at and around the business park that have made developments of this scale possible.”