Work begins on £10m new commercial development at Melton West
COMING SOON: Evolve @ Melton West will provide modern, energy-efficient facilities for growing businesses. Picture credit: Joanna James Ltd
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Construction has begun on the latest development at the thriving Melton West business park in East Yorkshire.
The £10m Evolve @ Melton West development will create 85,000 sq ft of prime commercial space for growing companies, in one of the most sought-after business locations in the region.
Set within the wider Melton West site, west of Hull, and with excellent transport links via the A63, the development will comprise of two larger units of 37,000 sq ft and 22,900 sq ft and a terrace of five smaller units of 5,000 sq ft each.
Yorkshire commercial property developer Wykeland Group, owner and developer of Melton West, has appointed West Yorkshire-based Triton Construction as the principal contractor on the project.
Construction work is now underway on the speculative development, with interest in the units high, ahead of occupiers moving in from February 2025.
Wykeland development director Jonathan Stubbs said: “Evolve @ Melton West will plug an important gap in the region for high-quality, modern commercial space.
ON SITE: From left, Jonathan Stubbs, development director, Wykeland Group; John Gouldthorp, asset manager, Wykeland Group; Paul Clarkson, managing director, Triton Construction; Dan Bower, director, LHL Group; Austin Lillico, funding and infrastructure project manager, East Riding Council; and Jo Dooley, business investment and tourism services manager, East Riding Council, at Evolve @ Melton West development. Picture credit: R&R Studio
“Small and medium-sized businesses are the beating heart of our economy and it’s vitally important to create spaces fit for today, and into the future, in which they can expand and grow.
“Equally important is the development’s outstanding sustainability credentials. Sustainability is something which connects all businesses, and companies are increasingly seeking facilities which are of a high environmental quality.
“Evolve @ Melton West meets that need and this was a key focus for us when planning this development.”
All of the units at Evolve @ Melton West will be EPC A-rated, with rooftop solar panels, green living walls and electric vehicle charging infrastructure available for occupiers.
Cycle storage shelters will form part of the development, which will also feature planted green roofs, with fast electric vehicle charging also available for public use.
The buildings allow high levels of natural light in, thanks to translucent roof panels, creating bright and attractive workplaces and reducing the length of time when artificial lighting is required.
Triton Construction, based in Liversedge near Dewsbury, has a strong track record of delivering outstanding projects in a range of sectors including commercial, education, leisure and retail.
Paul Clarkson, managing director at Triton Construction, said: “It’s great to be working with Wykeland on a development which will create new business opportunities and support the economic growth of the East Riding.
“We’ve got a track record of delivering quality commercial developments just like this one, and we’re pleased to be playing our part in the evolution of Melton West business park.
“Triton Construction is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, and this sort of project underlines our capabilities and expertise in commercial development.”
LHL Group, which has offices in Hessle, is acting as the employer’s agent for the development, supporting the management and delivery of the project.
Over the past year, Melton West has reinforced its status as one of Yorkshire’s most significant sites for large-scale investment and employment.
SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS: Evolve @ Melton West will feature a terrace of five smaller units, as well as two larger buildings. This image shows the living wall on the building’s side elevation of the building featuring the smaller units. Picture credit: Joanna James Ltd
The business park’s occupiers include blue chip companies such as Amazon, Heron Foods, shower maker Kohler Mira and generator manufacturer Allam Marine.
Jo Dooley, business investment and tourism services manager at East Riding Council, said: “We are very pleased to be supporting Wykeland to build much-needed small industrial units at Melton West business park.
“The project will provide almost 100 construction jobs, and then at least the same amount of permanent opportunities once the industrial units have been completed and are fully occupied.
“This is another example that the East Riding is an ideal area in which to start, locate and grow businesses.”
Almost 2.5m sq ft of space is already under construction at Melton West, including global medical technology business Smith+Nephew relocating from its existing site in Hull to a new £120m research and development and manufacturing facility, and a £180m Amazon fulfilment centre.
There are now around 1,500 people employed at Melton West, rising to 5,000 in the near future.