+44 (0)1642 806080

Council reflects overwhelming support for energy park plan

Strong objections from North Lincolnshire Council to proposals from Associated British Ports which would effectively block the plan for the multi-million pound Humber Ports Port on the South Bank of the Humber have been described as ‘well-argued and extremely welcome.’

That was the reaction of Able Group Development Director Neil Etherington to the news that the authority has made clear to the Marine Management Organisation that it objects to plans put forward by ABP for what it describes as the Immingham Western Deepwater Jetty (IWDJ) on a small—but crucially important—area of the land needed for the development of the Marine Energy Park.

Said Mr Etherington “Clearly the local authority has to consider carefully all development proposals in its area and in this case we understand has weighed up the benefits offered by both our plans for Humber Ports Port—providing thousands of local jobs and being the catalyst for establishing the Humber as a world-class centre for the offshore wind sector—and the plans now being put forward by ABP, which, in the words of the council’s Head of Planning and Regeneration, may provide few new jobs.

“If given the go-ahead it would have the effect of seriously threatening the prospect of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the economy of the Humber area.

“It has to be pointed out that our plans have been subject to a lengthy and comprehensive planning process over 4 years and I think it is fair to say that there was delight across the area when it was announced by the Secretary of State for Transport just before Christmas that he was granting a Development Control Order for AHP – after having received an approval recommendation from the Examining Authority. It should also be noted that the Secretary of State was also fully aware of the ABP application at the time of his announcement.

“I also believe that the position taken by the Council in their judgement of the merits of AHP and the ABP plan reflects the overwhelming views of all those working to bring new jobs and investment to the South Bank and the Humber region as a whole—not to mention the thousands of local people and their families who stand to benefit from the development of the Marine Energy Park.”

NOTE FOR EDITORS: The Humber Ports Port, covering 906 acres, forms an integral part of the overall Humber Ports development, which covers 2,135 acres with a river frontage of two and a half miles. Able has already invested over £50million in the first stage of its development which is currently used for vehicle import, storage and distribution activities. The company also has approval for the development of the multi-million pound 1,229 acre Able Energy Park which will include extensive warehousing and external storage areas, offices, a business park and ancillary services.

For further information please contact Peter Dodson, telephone 01642 353111/mobile 07753 910536

Return To News...