Associated British Ports (ABP) said it has submitted a planning application for the development of land at its Stallingborough Interchange site to provide automotive open storage space to new and existing customers of the Ports of Immingham and Grimsby.

The largest port operator in the UK completed the purchase of the freehold of the 227.5-acre site in December last year.

An outline planning application has been submitted across 96 acres of the site to be targeted towards the automotive sector.

“The planning application includes external storage and distribution of goods and products (Class B8) associated with port-related import-export activities; together with up to 12,000 square metres floor space of associated buildings, landscaping (including land for biodiversity net gain), infrastructure, ground mounted solar PVs and other associated works,” said ABP.

Andrew Dawes, Regional Director of the Humber ports, said: “This strategic investment in the growth of our Humber ports continues to ensure we maintain a leading position in the port sector. Supporting our customers expansion is also critical as it assists the investment in the region for jobs.

“Demand is expected to increase for energy generation, automotive storage, bulk warehousing, and storage and distribution uses and this new site will ensure the delivery of state-of-the-art infrastructure, facilities, and technological innovation for new and existing customers.”

Greg Lacey, Head of Property (Humber) for ABP, said: “A year after the purchase of what is such a significant investment site, we bring to fruition our shared ambition to create a major UK port logistics development. This is part of the wider Stallingborough development that will deliver up to a further 1.5m sq. ft. of industrial and manufacturing space across the remainder of the site that benefits from an existing planning consent.

“The site is one of the largest development land parcels in such proximity to the ports, and of significant scale versus wider opportunities in the Yorkshire region. The sizeable investment we made in this shows ABP is a key player in supporting the growth of commercial activities within the region.”

70 acres of the site will be developed for the automotive sector to support the growth at the Ports of Immingham and Grimsby for both existing customers for import and export and new entrants to the market.

ABP said it will be looking to start on site next year with the scheme. The remainder of the application provides high quality green landscaping areas to boost biodiversity and a phase of ground mounted solar panels to provide green energy to the development.