Press Releases - ABLE

LICENCE APPLICATION ‘IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD’ FOR TERRC PLANS
18/03/05

Able UK says its submission to the Environment Agency of an application for a new waste management licence for its TERRC (Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre) site at Seaton Port Graythorp marks another important step forward in its plans for the continued development of the facility.

The company’s Group Managing Director Martin Hopkins today welcomed the confirmation from the Environment Agency that it has now begun processing the licence application which is seeking approval for a wide range of activities to be undertaken at TERRC—including shipbuilding, ship repair and the recycling of both ships and offshore structures.

In January Able submitted a planning application to Hartlepool Borough Council for the TERRC development, which includes the construction of new quays, a coffer dam and dry dock gate and would also provide facilities for the manufacture of wind turbine towers and blades, as well as the assembly of turbine generator units.

Said Martin Hopkins “The waste management licence is obviously a key element in enabling us to move ahead with our proposals for TERRC. We welcome the fact that the Environment Agency, along with the Council, intends to fully consult on our proposals and we hope that as many people as possible will take the opportunity to discover the full facts about our plans—not least the conclusion of the very detailed Environmental Impact Statement, which has been prepared by international independent consultants, and confirms that the proposed developments will not have any significant impact on the local ecology.

“It is important to stress that the opportunity to create a world-class ship recycling centre is just one aspect of the opportunities if the application is approved. It will also enable ship and offshore construction and repair work in one of the biggest dry dock facilities in Europe, as well as boosting the opportunities for the Tees Valley to become a key centre for the rapidly developing renewable energy sector. The employment opportunities are very significant—in total the project could generate up to 700 jobs.”

The potential economic benefits were underlined recently by the Government. In its response to the House of Commons Environment Committee’s report on ship recycling the Government made clear its wish to see the establishment of high-quality ship recycling in the UK adding that ‘we believe that the UK has the skills base and expertise to operates such facilities safely and that such an industry can offer economic benefits to surrounding communities.’

The Graythorp facility was originally developed as a shipbuilding yard, with almost 500 vessels being built there between 1913 and 1963. Laing Offshore acquired the yard in 1969 and developed the site for the construction of large offshore structures and decommissioning work. Able UK purchased the facility in 1996 and have imported and recycled marine structures for many leading companies.

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