Approval secured for vertical farm at business park

Planners have given the go-ahead for a vertical farming facility (VFC) at a site in East Yorkshire.

Key Growing Ltd, supported by Geoffrey Prince Associates, had applied to East Riding of Yorkshire Council for an extension to Woodmansey Business Park.

Its proposals include the VFC which will be used to produce micro salads, herbs, soft fruits, bulbs and flowers, as well as free standing office buildings and starter units, all of which will be served by an existing on-site anaerobic digestion plant.

Once constructed the VFC will have a footprint 84,000 sq ft, and a total gross international area of 97,400 sq ft.

Four two-storey office buildings would provide 41,500 sq ft of space. And eight single-storey starter units measuring a 31,000 sq ft in total would be created.

The plans feature an energy management and distribution building, a water attenuation pond incorporating a wildlife and nature park, internal circulation road, car and lorry parking, and landscaping.

The development will expand Woodmansey Business Park – which is owned by Key Growing – to 62 acres, and increase the numbers employed there from about 450 to 730.

A detailed planning statement accompanying the application explains that by making use of green energy generated on site to provide electricity and heat for the VFC, this will become the first example of a circular, low carbon employment park in the East Riding and one of the first in the UK.

The statement adds: “The scheme, which will produce food all year round, dovetails with the national strategy of increasing food security through sustainably sourced locally produced food products, and in so doing reducing ‘food’
miles and transport costs.

“It is projected that the VFC will employ circa 50 staff to include office workers, management, growers and packers, including a mix of skilled and semi-skilled workers who will be encourage to undergo specialist training in crop management.”

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