North East Lincolnshire Councillors have agreed to release land to Associated British Ports including 28 acres of allocated development land at Stallingborough Interchange and two further small areas of land in NELC ownership.
Pioneer Business Park is a strand of the award winning South Humber Industrial Investment Programme which has so far seen the Myenergi and HETA facilities developed on the site, with other projects in the pipeline.
Other elements of SHIIP include a new link road between Immingham and Grimsby which has unlocked development land and improved connectivity between the ports, and two ecological mitigation sites, the first in Europe, created to offset the environmental impact of future developments and provide a safe haven for birds. These innovative interventions have proven to be a key part in attracting large scale investment to the area.
Cllr Philip Jackson, Leader of the Council, said: “The sale has realised the opportunity to see development accelerated at Pioneer Business Park at a pace which is likely to bring with it a variety of benefits, including additional investment, facilities and jobs locally.
“I’d like to thank ABP for coming to the table with the proposals, and for creating what will be one of the biggest single developments in the area in recent times.”
ABP has also been working with other landowners in the area to assemble a wider parcel of land to concentrate these operations in. The overall deal will see ABP investing significantly to expand its port operations around Immingham after the purchase of the freehold of 227.5 acres at Stallingborough Interchange.
The prominent site is earmarked for commercial port opportunities including automotive, bulk warehousing, distribution and logistics uses, advanced manufacturing, as well as green energy initiatives.
In a prime strategic location next to the A180 two miles from the Port of Immingham and six from the Port of Grimsby, the designated employment site is one of the largest of the original Enterprise Zones in the area and is key to future proofing the continued growth of ABP’s commercial business on the Humber.
Simon Bird, ABP’s Regional Director of the Humber, said: “This is an important milestone in the future growth of the Humber ports. It demonstrates the need for strategic investment in land to facilitate the continued growth of ABP and to maintain the Humber ports leading position in the UK, as well as significant investment in the region for jobs.
“As demand is expected to increase for energy generation, automotive storage, bulk warehousing, and storage and distribution uses our space constraints within our ports will increase. This additional land will ensure the delivery of state-of-the-art infrastructure, facilities, and technological innovation for new and existing customers.”
Greg Lacey, Head of Property – Humber, ABP said: “It’s always a challenge to bring forward a site of such significant scale and I’d like to personally thank NELC for all the investment in time and costs to get it to this stage. We now pick up the baton to bring to fruition our shared ambition to create a major UK port logistics development.
“This is a unique opportunity, assembled by ABP working collaboratively with NELC and three other landowners. The site is the largest development land parcel in such proximity to the ports, and of significant scale versus wider opportunities in the Yorkshire region. It is unlikely any opportunity of the same size will be coming to the market for some time. The sizeable investment we have made in this shows ABP is a key player in supporting the growth of commercial activities within the region.”
Terms agreed for operation of multimodal freight terminal at Doncaster’s iPort
The UK subsidiary of MEDLOG SA, part of the MSC Group of companies, has agreed terms with pan-European logistics specialist Verdion to operate its iPort Rail multimodal freight terminal at iPort in Doncaster, signalling expansion of the facility in 2025.
The global transport and logistics provider is taking a long-term lease of the facility with handover expected to complete in the first quarter of next year. Lifting and storage of containers at the iPort Rail terminal will be performed under the MEDLOG brand. iPort Rail’s current 27-strong team will remain in place with a focus on business as usual for existing customers.
As part of the transaction, Verdion will now start work on Phase 2 of iPort Rail, doubling the current size and storage capacity of the terminal and increasing the number of trains it can accommodate daily, as well as continuing the low carbon movement of goods to existing iPort occupiers. Planning consent has been secured and work is expected to start in Q1 2024, with the expanded terminal expected to come into operation in Q1 2025.
iPort is one of the UK’s most significant multimodal logistics hubs, and the largest in the north of England. When complete iPort will extend to 6 million sq ft of logistics and light industrial accommodation operating 24/7. Alongside iPort Rail, Amazon, CEVA, Fellowes, Lidl, Woodland Group, Maritime Group and Euro Pool Systems already have operations here, with further names expected as the newest buildings on the park are leased. Further warehousing facilities, the largest extending to 848,000 sq ft, are also planned.
Its on-site, open access rail terminal – iPort Rail – was opened in 2018 by HRH The Princess Royal, with daily services now running to/from Southampton, Felixstowe, London Gateway and Teesport. It has secured the Government’s Authorised Economic Operator status.
John Clements, Executive Director of Verdion, said: “The economic and environmental benefits of rail freight are clear, and we have significant untapped potential here at iPort to increase provision and support national and international supply chains. This agreement with MEDLOG will underpin current operations as well as creating a strong platform for future growth, including more business and employment opportunities across the Doncaster and South Yorkshire region.”
Dan Everitt, MD of MEDLOG UK, said: “iPort Rail is strategically located less than five minutes from junction 3 of the M18 motorway in England and it will continue to be an open access terminal, with operations continuing seamlessly and without interruption to its customers. The investment in the iPort Rail terminal is part of the group’s continued investment in intermodal infrastructure in the United Kingdom.”
Latest payments pump £525m into UK’s rural economy
A further £525m has now been released into the rural economy, building on the advance payments made in August this year, with 97% of farmers having received the final tranche of money under the Basic Payment Scheme, says the Government’s Rural Payments Agency.
So far more than 91,000 applications and claims have been completed across the Basic Payment Scheme, Countryside Stewardship, revenue and Environmental Stewardship schemes. These payments support farmers to run profitable and productive businesses while delivering environmental outcomes in a range of habitats. £70 million under the Environmental Stewardship scheme will be issued in the next few days.
Around 850 farmers whose agreements started in October and November have now received their early payment, with a total £2.8 million paid, and those whose agreements started on 1 December are set to receive their payment in the coming days.
RPA Chief Executive Paul Caldwell said: “This year farmers and rural businesses have continued to face a number of challenges and that’s why the RPA has been working hard to improve cash flow and make sure farmers receive their final BPS payments as quickly as possible.
“Delinked payments will provide financial support over the next four years as we encourage farmers and land managers to enter our environmental land management schemes where they will be paid to take actions that will support sustainable food production while protecting the environment.”
Phase two of Wakefield abattoir site transformation is complete
Consultancy works on phase two of a £7m commercial business park aimed at transforming a former abattoir site in Wakefield have been completed by Dudleys Consulting Engineers.
The project, close to Junction 40 of the M1 motorway, has transformed a 4-acre development plot to provide 76,800 sq ft of much needed new business units, supporting around 200 jobs.
Dudleys was appointed by Frank Marshall Estates to advise on the project following its acquisition of the Flanshaw Way site in 2020. Working alongside KPP Architects and Percy Pickard Contractors, Dudleys provided advice around remediation and enabling works required for the site of the former abattoir.
The practice delivered full Civil and Structural Engineering services including review and appraisal of existing site records, co-ordination and review of additional validation investigation works and subsequent presentation to local authority consultees to support the planning process.
Dudleys Director Peter Dixon said: “Due to previous uses of the site, some remediation was needed. The development plateaus were also heavily constrained by the steep surrounding embankments and closeness to an existing substation. We worked closely with the construction team to manage arisings from the foundations and drainage excavations to carefully co-ordinate levels of construction.”
Frank Marshall Estates is a family-owned commercial development and investment company based in Bradford. Alongside its portfolio of industrial and office developments, FME pioneered its highly successful Nano Park concept which provides smaller and more refined employment spaces for starts ups and satellite operations.
The Flanshaw Way development in Wakefield has been named Balme Business Park in honour of FME’s long standing construction manager, Chris Balme.
Edward Marshall of Frank Marshall Estates, said: “We are pleased to deliver Balme Business Park, a prime site in Wakefield where there is considerable demand for smaller units. With the support of Dudleys we were able to deliver phase one during the pandemic and due to occupier demand we proceeded with phase two immediately after. The scheme has proved hugely successful, due to its location and quality of accommodation, and is now fully let.”
Rula plans logistics accommodation for Tinsley Bridge Group site in Sheffield
Rula Developments has secured a 10-acre site close to Junctions 33 and 34 of the M1 in Sheffield with plans to deliver up to 230,000 sq ft. of new, state-of-the-art industrial/logistics accommodation.
The site is located just off Europa Way next to Sheffield Business Park, and in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.
Existing occupier Tinsley Bridge Group has completed a sale and leaseback of its 62,000 sq ft factory and HQ building which has been sold to Moorfield. TBG plans to vacate its old factory and remainder of the site in 2025, making way for redevelopment.
Rula will submit a planning application in the first quarter of 2024 but is yet to determine building plot sizes subject to demand.
Anthony Clitheroe, Development Director at Rula Developments said: “This area is already recognised as a hotbed of cutting-edge industry and is well placed for last mile logistics operators serving the Sheffield City Region.
“The requirement for high quality, purpose-built industrial accommodation in the region remains high and we plan to develop the plot in line with occupier demand. This site sits well within out existing portfolio of well located, highly accessible and strategically supported developments.”
CPP represented Rula on the site acquisition and investment sale and have been retained as agent for the new build alongside Colliers.
Rula Developments is a privately-owned commercial development company focusing on identifying and developing sites across the UK for immediate or medium to longer-term strategic development, delivering high quality buildings and schemes with strong ESG credentials.
Amongst Rula’s current projects are the speculative delivery of Eclipse, a 405,411 sq ft smart space logistics scheme in Doncaster, and a 369,251 sq ft prime logistics and office development at Broadway Green in Oldham.
Farming industry lets its hair down and raises £7,000 for charity
About 300 members of Yorkshire’s farming community enjoyed an evening of celebration at the first-ever Harvest Dinner Dance held by the Future Farmers of Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, raising £7,000 to be shared between two charities.
The event brought together farming families and all those who work in agriculture and its allied industries on the Great Yorkshire Showground, sponsored by agricultural machinery manufacturer Krone UK, and rural insurance specialists McClarrons.
Allister Nixon, Chief Executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society added: “Our first Harvest Dinner Dance in partnership with Future Farmers of Yorkshire has been a tremendous success and hopefully a welcome tonic for everyone who attended.
“Bringing people together is one of our great strengths as a farming charity, and we look forward to 2024 when there will be lots more opportunities for the farming community to come together at the Great Yorkshire Showground, not least the Great Yorkshire Show in July.”
Nick Grayson, South Yorkshire tenant farmer and Chair of Future Farmers of Yorkshire said: “It’s been a truly special night in great company, just the sort of fun evening I think we all craved at the end of a frustrating harvest and drilling season.
“I would like to say thank you on behalf of the Future Farmers Management Board to everyone who made the evening such a wonderful occasion: our guests, sponsors, supporters, and hosts.”
Export forecast makes ‘sobering reading’, says BCC
A survey of almost 650 UK businesses by the British Chambers of Commerce has shown that customs checks, tariffs and regulation are the top three barriers to exporting.
The research also found that transport costs, volatile exchange rates, political and economic uncertainty, and rules of origin requirements were other obstructions.
The findings come as the Office For Budget Responsibility’s latest forecast said the UK’s trade volumes were expected to stagnate in the medium term, and UK trade intensity still remains below its pre-pandemic level.
The forecast also predicted real exports to average growth of just 0.1% a year between 2024 and 2027.
William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The OBR’s forecast makes for pretty sobering reading on the challenges we face in the UK’s push to raise exports to the £1tn level.
“But our findings highlight the key priorities for business that could make a difference, when it comes to UK trade negotiations and other related policy developments.
“What they want to see are faster customs processes, removal of non-tariff regulatory barriers, tariff reductions where these could make a difference, fewer hoops to jump through and greater certainty.
“With the UK Government involved in trade negotiations with so many countries right now, including India, South Korea, Canada and Mexico, these findings are a timely reminder of the important issues.
“The push towards increasing the amount of trade we do digitally also has the potential to smooth the flow of global trade, but we need to get more international partners on board.
“Boosting the UK’s exports is a crucial part of solving the country’s productivity puzzle and getting the economy back to greater growth. Although global demand is under pressure, there remain huge opportunities for us in key sectors such as advanced manufacturing and green innovation, if we get the framework right.”
‘Hardest working personal injury solicitor’ in East of England promoted to partner
The largest law firm in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire has promoted two home-grown lawyers to partner, increasing the support available to individuals suffering from catastrophic injuries and employers experiencing commercial fraud.
After a combined 32 years of experience practising law at Wilkin Chapman, Nick Shaw and James Kinnaird have been promoted to partners at the leading regional law firm.
Both men are credited by name in the recently launched UK Legal 500 2024 – a leading directory widely recognised as a de facto list of the best law firms.
In the rankings for 2023 and 2024, of which Wilkin Chapman is recognised in sixteen separate categories, Nick Shaw is described as “the hardest working personal injury solicitor in the East of England”. Similarly, they describe James Kinnaird as a “technically brilliant commercial litigation lawyer.”
Both solicitors joined Wilkin Chapman straight out of school and were fully supported by the firm throughout their part-time studies, while also working full-time roles, to qualify as chartered legal executives and ultimately become solicitors.
Nick Shaw joined Wilkin Chapman in 2006 after graduating from Lincoln College. He has spent the last 17 years working at the firm’s Lincoln office, gaining practical experience and being supported in undertaking specialist qualifications to further his career. Nick said:
“I’m very proud and excited to be taking on the role of partner at Wilkin Chapman’s personal injury and clinical negligence department in Lincoln.
“Whether it’s the UK’s hardworking military personnel or our agricultural workers – which is recognised as one of the most statistically dangerous industries in the UK by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – I look forward to furthering the firm’s important work supporting people with life-changing, catastrophic injuries in these incredibly dangerous areas.”
“I haven’t taken the most conventional path to become a partner, but Wilkin Chapman has nurtured me from day one. It has encouraged me to learn as I earn, instead of going to university. I’ve been hands-on, experiencing the law and its evolution in real-time.
“This to me proves that there really are no barriers to what you can achieve – if you have the right support and the right mentality.”
James Kinnaird joined Wilkin Chapman in 2008 and has spent 15 years building his knowledge of commercial litigation to support businesses across the country. He said:
“I’m thrilled to be accepting the position of partner in Wilkin Chapman’s commercial dispute resolution team at our Lincoln office. I look forward to continuing to support businesses, directors, and shareholders when they get into disputes with other businesses or internally with each other. On his high court employment specialism, James said: “whether companies are struggling with the misuse of their confidential information, a breach of restrictive covenants or unlawful team moves (a team of employees resigning to work for a competitor), I’m here to provide critical support for this niche area of law.”
Senior partner, Andrew Holt said: “This is a huge personal achievement for them both. Nick and James are what you might call ‘home-grown lawyers’, having trained and worked in the firm to reach this position. We saw their potential, supported their career progression and we’re delighted they are joining the partnership.”
Trimble Group hails game-changing support from Growth Hub
Trimble Group CEO Toby Trimble has hailed ‘game-changing’ Richmondshire business support, which is helping them flourish.
Two years ago the Richmond-based veterinary-led communications company embarked on a transformative journey with York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub. Before accessing the Growth Hub’s extensive resources and expertise, Trimble Group had to shoulder all of its own challenges. This changed when they partnered with the Growth Hub.
Toby Trimble, CEO and founder of Trimble Group, said; “The York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub has been an absolute game-changer for our business. They provided us with support, guidance, and funding opportunities.
“From helping us develop our studio to connecting us with a trusted advisor, they’ve been there every step of the way. Their non-judgemental approach and expert advice have been helpful in overcoming challenges and building a sustainable growth plan. We highly recommend their services to any business seeking to thrive.”
Collaborating with the Growth Hub’s Business Relationship Manager Nick White, support has taken various forms. This began with help to secure a grant that played a pivotal role in establishing Trimble Group’s studio. This extra finance allowed for vital purchases such as lighting equipment. This in turn enabled the execution of multiple shoots and significantly enhancing their working efficiency.
Beyond financial aid, Nick provided invaluable guidance that has helped shape Trimble Group’s growth strategies. Rather than dictating a rigid path, the Growth Hub has been a guiding hand. This helped the Trimble Group navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
One of the key aspects of Trimble Group’s operations is their reliance on studios. With Nick’s guidance, they expertly transformed an office space into a production facility. This was made possible through funding from the Supply Chain Network. The funding has enabled upgrades like a lighting grid and sound treatment, elevating the quality and efficiency of content production.
Furthermore, Trimble Group’s association with the Growth Hub led to great connections for the company. Toby said; “I think the most valuable thing the Growth Hub has done for us is connecting me with a valuable advisor. Having someone discuss your challenges without judgement and help you get to a solution has been instrumental to us. With this support we are building towards what we hope is going to be a really bright future.”
Land deal paves the way for ABP port expansion on south bank
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Rule change allows advice for the region’s tiniest SMEs
Made Smarter East Midlands has announced that the programme eligibility criteria are being changed to include manufacturers with headcounts of nine people or fewer.
Since its launch a year ago, the East Midlands Made Smarter Programme has been open only to SME Manufacturers in Greater Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire with headcounts between 10 and 249 people. With immediate effect the programme will now accepting expressions of interest from micro sized manufacturers
Made Smarter East Midlands now offers the following support to micro manufacturing businesses in Greater Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, and Derbyshire through the national Made Smarter Website https://www.madesmarter.uk/
• Digital Road Mapping – A lighter touch road map is available to Micro businesses, which will set out a Digital Implementation Plan.
• Access to 10 hours of fully funded Industrial Digital Technology Advice (IDTA)
• Grant funding to support CAPEX and revenue projects.
Programme Director Dr Chris Owen said: “We can now expand the scope of the East Midlands Made Smarter programme to thousands of micro SME Manufacturers across the region. Since we opened our doors for business in December 2022, we have had a healthy interest from micro sized manufacturers who are eager for support to adopt industrial digital technology but we have been unable to help them. “We’ll be reaching out to all those micro manufacturers who have already registered and expression of interest in Made Smarter East Midlands, and opening our doors to new expressions of interest from other micro manufacturers across the region. We have created a pathway of support specifically designed for micro manufacturers, which is quicker and lighter touch than the core programme, but still gives companies access to packages of free and impartial technical advice and grant funding of up to £20,000 to help them adopt industrial digital technology.” Alongside the new Micro manufacturer pathway the core programme will still continue to accept expressions of interest from manufacturers with headcounts of 10 to 249 people. In just one year, Made Smarter East Midlands has engaged with over 150 manufacturing businesses across the region providing much needed grant funding, free and impartial technical advice, digital transformation road mapping and Leadership Development. To find out more about what is available, visit the Made Smarter East Midlands website, where you can also express your interest and sign up to this fantastic opportunity https://www.madesmarter.uk/adoption/in-my-region/east-midlands/