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Green  light for Goole freeport site

[ February 14, 2024   //   Chris Lewis ]

The Government has approved a freeport tax site in Goole, East Yorkshire, one of three in the Humber Freeport alongside Hull East and the Able Humber Port at Immingham.

The tax site spans almost 500 acres of prime development land across two plots, separated by the M62 motorway, on the outskirts of Goole.

The proposed footprint for the Goole tax site was submitted for approval in August last year and has now been officially designated, following approval by the Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs.

Businesses investing in the site can benefit from advantages including business rate and stamp duty land tax relief and National Insurance support to reduce employment costs.

Humber Freeport Chair Simon Bird welcomed the move, saying: “Designation of the Goole tax site is another major positive step forwards for Humber Freeport and our mission to drive economic growth, generate thousands of skilled jobs, support innovation and promote cross-sector collaboration.

“We strongly believe our freeport proposition in the Humber is a compelling and unique one, with huge opportunities in decarbonisation, advanced manufacturing, chemicals and port-related operations.

“We’re offering investors the opportunity to benefit from the Humber’s status as a global gateway, with easy access to mainland Europe and beyond via the UK’s busiest ports complex.

“We’ve got the space to grow, the people, the skills and the world-class companies already here to support investors, making the Humber the perfect place to do business.”

Property developer Wykeland Group holds the long-term development rights to the 211-acre northern part of the Goole tax site and has exchanged on a deal with Finnish paper manufacturer Metsä Tissue. Subject to planning approval, it will create the UK’s largest tissue paper mill on the site in several phases over the next few years and create over 400 direct jobs, along with many others in the supply chain.

The southern part of the Goole tax site is owned by St John’s College, Cambridge, which has appointed HBD, part of Henry Boot, as development partner.  Siemens Mobility is investing up to £200m in a manufacturing facility, adjacent to the freeport tax site, to build tube trains for London.

The mfacility will employ up to 700 people, generating around 1,700 new employment opportunities in the supply chain, and is the centrepiece of a growing rail village encompassing manufacturing, servicing and research and development facilities.

Other companies that have announced plans to invest in Humber Freeport sites include rare earth exploration company Pensana and green hydrogen specialist Meld Energy, both at Saltend Chemicals Park within the Hull East tax site.

Tags: Humber Freeport; Goole