Council leader ‘delighted’ as ‘state of the art’ Goole paper factory is approved

The leader said: “This is not just any investment, it’s one of the largest of its kind in the UK.”

The leader of East Riding Council, Cllr Anne Handley, has expressed her delight as plans for the UK’s largest paper mill in Goole have been approved. The mill will produce around 240,000 tonnes of tissue paper each year.

At September’s full council meeting, the Conservative Party council leader dedicated much of her leader’s speech to the mill. She told councillors: “This is not just any investment, it’s one of the largest of its kind in the UK.”

Finnish firm, Metsä, have had plans for their new paper mill at Humber Freeport approved by the council, with the scheme now being subject to the company meeting a number of legal agreements. The project, which will create upwards of 450 direct jobs, “stands as a beacon of economic regeneration, green industrial leadership, and long lasting local prosperity,” Cllr Handley said.

She added: “Metsä Tissue, a leading Finish manufacturer, has chosen Goole as the site for its new state of the art tissue paper mill. This is not just any investment, it’s one of the largest of its kind in the UK with several of hundreds of millions of pounds committed over the next decade.”

Cllr Handley also explained the importance of the high-quality jobs that are to be created at the site. She explained that these roles “will offer new opportunities for local people and will help retain talent in our region.”

The council leader also praised the cross-organisational efforts that have gone into securing the investment. She said: “This project is a result of the close collaboration between Metsä Tissue, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Humber Freeport, and national government partners. It demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together to attract world class investment and deliver real benefits for our residents.”

The news of the mill being given the green light has also been welcomed by David Davis MP, who represents Goole and Pocklington in Parliament. The Conservative MP said: “This investment is fantastic news for Goole and the surrounding area. This is a huge opportunity to bring high-quality manufacturing jobs to our community, boost the local economy, and position Goole as a key player in the UK’s paper industry.

“Along with Anne Handley, I will continue to work closely with the developers, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and local stakeholders to ensure that the benefits, jobs, apprenticeships, and investment are felt across the constituency. We will also continue to press the Government to get the best possible terms from Metsä.

“We have already had numerous meetings with them to discuss issues ranging from infrastructure to energy costs. Ensuring there is strong local engagement with the project will remain a key priority to address issues such as traffic management, environmental safeguards, and workforce development.”

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