+44 (0)1642 806080

Time for ABP to abandon Energy Park objections’ after Judicial Review refusal

The latest rejection of Associated British Ports’ attempts to block the Humber Ports Port on the South Bank of the Humber means ‘it is surely time for them to recognise the game is up.’

That was the reaction today of Peter Stephenson, Able’s Executive Chairman, to the decision by Mrs Justice Patterson to refuse the application by ABP, seeking a Judicial Review of the decision of the Secretary of State for Transport to grant a Development Control Order for the AHP project which is set to create over 4,000 direct jobs and play a crucial role in establishing the Humber as the UK’s ‘Energy Estuary’ and a world leader in attracting renewable energy industries.

In her decision Mrs Justice Patterson found against ABP on all the grounds it put forward in applying for Judicial Review…describing their claim as ‘unarguable.’

Said Mr Stephenson “Their claims surrounding the so-called Killingholme Triangle…the small area of land which is needed for AHP…have now been rejected by the hugely detailed and lengthy planning process, overseen by senior planning inspectors, a Government Minister, a Joint Parliamentary Committee—and now by the High Court.’

“Every other interest on the Humber—including the Local Enterprise Partnership, the local business community, local authorities, local Members of Parliament and their constituents—have looked on in despair as time after time a development of such importance to the area has been delayed and put in jeopardy by the actions of a single company.

“ABP can now seek to challenge Mrs Justice Patterson’s comprehensive rejection of their arguments through an oral hearing but that would once again delay AHP and yet again highlight that ABP are more concerned with defending their near monopoly position on the Humber against the interests of the whole region and the UK for that matter.”

NOTE FOR EIDTORS: For further information please contact Peter Dodson, telephone
07753 910536, email peterdodsonmedia@aol.com.

Return To News...