Wykeland secures deal at Europarc
PROPERTY company Wykeland Group has acquired regional development agency Yorkshire Forward’s remaining stake at the Europarc business park.
Hull-based Wykeland is now the sole owner of the 110-acre site and expects it to emply 3,500 people when it is completed.
The closure of Yorkshire Forward has involved the disposal or transfer of dozens of sites the regional development agency had acquired or held an interest in. Many have been transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency.
Europarc, regarded as a gateway to the ports of Immingham and Grimsby, is home to a host of companies including Northern Foods, Cosalt, Covent Garden Soups manufacturer Daniels Food Group, global mineral fertiliser supplier Yara and motor home manufacturer Autotrail.
Dominic Gibbons (right), managing director of Wykeland, said: “There are still 46 of the original 110 acres to be developed and we anticipate that by the time the development is completed, there will be around 3,500 people working on the site, which will bolster the local economy.
“Our plan is to build on the extremely successful partnership we have had with Yorkshire Forward, which has seen the development of 750,000 sq ft of business space currently providing employment for around 2,000 people.
“We will continue to work closely with North East Lincolnshire Council to provide high quality space for manufacturing, warehousing and office use for both the local and inward investment markets.”
He added: “We believe acquiring the remaining land provides a sustainable delivery structure to ensure it retains this status, and continues to attract global businesses to North East Lincolnshire.
David Custance, assistant director of urban renaissance and property at Yorkshire Forward, said: “We are pleased to see that in agreeing this sale, the development of Europarc will continue in the same vein; providing further jobs and investment into the local economy, long after our closure.”
Coun Chris Shaw, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council and portfolio holder for regeneration, added: “Needless to say, I look forward to working with Dominic and his colleagues on the further development of this key site.”
Wykeland commenced development at Europarc in 1999, working in partnership with Yorkshire Forward.
