UK’s last deep coal mine to become business park

Developer Harworth Group has secured the resolution to grant planning consent from Selby District Council to redevelop the former Kellingley Colliery site in North Yorkshire.

The development, which has good transport links, will provide up to 134,000m² of manufacturing and distribution space.

The colliery was the last deep coal mine in the UK and closed in December 2015. Harworth took control of the site in March 2016, and says it wants to return it back to beneficial use to replace the jobs lost when mining ended.

Harworth has spent the last 12 months undertaking site safety and security works, including demolishing redundant industrial structures, alongside master planning Kellingley for future employment uses.

Harworth Group Chief Executive Owen Michaelson said: “We’re delighted to have received the support of Selby District Council for our scheme that will make a significant contribution to Yorkshire’s economy.

“We’re fully committed to creating a first-class commercial centre that is likely to provide at least several hundred jobs in accordance with local planning policy, replacing the jobs lost when the Colliery closed its doors in 2015.”

Leader of Selby District Council, Councillor Mark Crane, added: “This is a key development site for our district and crucial for the delivery of our Economic Development Strategy.

“It has the potential to create significant new jobs and bring in a huge amount of new investment.  It benefits from the things that make our district a great place to do business, including fantastic transport connections, affordable business space and being supported by a skilled local workforce; all located right at the heart of Yorkshire.

“We’ve been working as a team with Harworth and their advisors, North Yorkshire County Council and with Selby College to create the plan for the site, as part of our work to support growth and development which opens up new job opportunities and helps to make us a great place for business and a great place to live.”