New carbon fibre factory given the-go ahead

The new factory will be built on Energy Park Way

A new factory has been approved in Grimsby that could create up to 400 jobs.

The development at Energy Park Way will produce carbon fibre, a lightweight but strong polymer which is used in engineering.

The business is owned by three-times Tour de France winning US cyclist Greg LeMond.

Outline planning permission was also granted for a second production line at the site.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, there will be a 1,004ft (306m) long manufacturing building with a two-storey office and a cooling compound.

Parts of the building will be yellow in reference to La Mond's cycling career and his winning the yellow jersey.

The 12 hectares (30 acres) site is currently classed as brownfield and occupied by Bluestar Fibres.

Its eastern half once housed the storage of granite boulders for an Environment Agency seawall defence scheme.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader Philip Jackson said: "This is a massive capital investment, providing new, well-paid jobs and will also create many additional supporting roles in the local economy.

"The innovative manufacturing of carbon fibre in Grimsby is very welcome and shows that the chemical sector continues to thrive in our area, adding to the diversification of the local economy."

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