Wykeland Group and Finnish manufacturer Metsä Tissue have submitted plans to create the UK’s largest tissue paper mill in Goole, which could create almost half of the tissue used in the UK, amounting to 240,000 tonnes a year.
The partner companies have jointly lodged a planning application for the landmark 3m sq ft facility to East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Wykeland holds the long-term development rights on the site and has worked closely with Metsä Tissue for more than two years to pave the way for the investment of several hundred million pounds.
Subject to planning approval, the development will be built in several phases over the coming decade and could create over 400 jobs on site during that time, with thousands more generated across the supply chain and local economy.
The facility could increase the UK’s self-sufficiency in the manufacture of essential tissue products by more than 30 per cent,
The planning application seeks approval to build the mill on a 211-acre site between Rawcliffe Road and the M62 motorway in Goole.
Wykeland MD Dominic Gibbons said: “We identified the huge potential of this site several years ago and over the past two years have worked closely with Metsä Tissue to bring to fruition their ambition to create a world-class facility in the UK.
“With over 50 years’ experience in the Yorkshire region, we are delighted to bring our planning and development expertise to this project.
“Submission of this application is a key stage in the development process and we look forward to continuing to support Metsä Tissue to secure planning consent and move through to the delivery phase.”
Alan Jeffery, Metsä Tissue’s Technical Director for the UK and Ireland, said: “We have worked collaboratively with Wykeland from the outset of our relationship through to the submission of this planning application.
“Our partnership has contributed to the project progressing smoothly to this point and we look forward to working together to take the development through the planning process.”
