Commercial developer the Horncastle Group PLC and global crop inputs manufacturer Yara International have agreed a deal to build the UK’s largest speciality fertiliser manufacturing plant in Yorkshire.
Caddick Construction has been appointed as the main contractor on the scheme. The deal, which represents a total investment of more than £50m, marks the start of work on Phase II of Ozone Business Park; a premier logistics and distribution hub in Howden, East Yorkshire, developed by the Horncastle Group.
The building work, to be delivered by Caddick Construction as part of a £28m contract, includes ‘state-of-the-art’ manufacturing plant, warehouses, and offices that will enable Yara to double production of its YaraVita speciality crop nutrition products and biostimulants, which are vital to achieving future food security and mitigating climate change.
Virtually all the output from the plant will be exported to markets around the world, helping to meet a rising global demand for the products that help growers improve crop health and increase yields.
Tom Horncastle, Managing Director of the Horncastle Group PLC, said securing Yara International as the first occupant of Phase II of Ozone Business Park was a fantastic result for all parties.
Phase One of the development, which is located less than a mile from Junction 37 of the M62, is home to global logistics businesses DPD and DHL, as well as leading family baker Warburtons.
Tom said: “Ozone Business Park is one of the best located logistics hubs in the north east of England. Situated a stone’s throw from the M62 and with excellent links to the M18 and M1, it provides quick and easy access to the south, west, and north of the country. This is why the first phase of the development has been so popular with third party logistics providers.
“Yara’s decision to locate its new manufacturing plant here demonstrates the design flexibility Ozone Business Park can provide, including the high operational power requirements needed by Yara for their production lines.
“With the first plot now secured, we are expecting a lot of interest in the two remaining plots on Phase II of Ozone Business Park.”
The development has a total footprint of 295,669 sq ft and will include state-of-the-art production, distribution and office facilities. It will stand 12.6m to the eaves and has been designed in sympathy with the adjacent buildings on Phase I of the park.
By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily