The Government has signalled its consent for plans for a multi-million pound Marine Energy Park on the banks of the River Humber.Transport Minister Norman Baker confirmed the Planning Inspectorate panel had recommended granting consent for the huge industrial base for the offshore wind sector but delayed a final decision to receive further advice on ecological compensation measures and the protection of a local rail line.
Developers Able UK said it welcomed the announcement but admitted it was “more than a little frustrating” that there is to be a further delay in gaining official consent.
The £450 million Marine Energy Park is planned to cover 906 acres on the south bank of the Humber, providing 1,279 metres of state-of-the-art quayside facilities purpose built for the manufacture, assembly and installation of offshore renewable technologies.
It is at the centre of the largest Enterprise Zone in the UK and, as well as attracting around 4,000 local jobs directly, is seen as the catalyst for establishing the Humber as a world-class centre for the renewable energy industries.
Able UK Group Development Director Neil Etherington, said: “It is obviously good news that the Panel which carried out the very detailed and complex examination of our application recommended granting consent. It’s also good news that in today’s announcement Ministers do recognise the regeneration and economic benefits for both the local area and the wider development of the offshore renewable energy industry.
“At the same time it has to be said that a further delay in a decision is disappointing. The Planning Inspectorate gave its recommendations to Government in February, a decision was originally due in May and now the deadline has been pushed back to December.
“Given that, when it was announced in July that the deadline had been pushed back today in order to clarify issues relating to the Crown Estate, one has to wonder why the issues relating to the concerns of Natural England over ecological measures and the question of protecting future operations of the Killingholme branch railway could not have been dealt with at the same time.
“This application has been under consideration for around four years and, as part of the planning process, we have put forward measures to spend over £35million protecting wildlife and the environment.
“We will be taking immediate steps to address the issues raised in the Government’s announcement today and sincerely hope that there will be no further delays in a project which enjoys the overwhelming support of the entire local community, including MPs, local authorities, the Local Enterprise Partnership, and, of course, the offshore wind sector itself—both manufacturers and developers—who all recognise it is a much-needed, once-in-generation opportunity to transform the area and bring enormous benefits to the UK as a whole.”
Trade association RenewableUK described today’s announcement as a significant step forward which could lead to the creation of thousands of jobs.
RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive, Maf Smith, said: “Today’s announcement marks an important step forward in the development of the UK’s offshore wind manufacturing sector. This project demonstrates the massive scale of the opportunity we have to revitalise coastal areas around the country, creating tens of thousands of green-collar jobs by focussing specifically on marine renewables.
“Development of sites like this will be important in building a national and regional cluster of supply chain companies.. We know that the Government wants to take more time to look at certain aspects of the decision, and we look forward to their swift examination of these details so that we can get a green light once and for all and the project can start providing the economic boost for the area that we know it can.
“This summer has proved to be a watershed season for the UK’s offshore wind industry. The Prime Minister David Cameron officially opened the world’s largest offshore wind farm, London Array, and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg opened the Lincs offshore wind farm.
“Looking ahead, Government has given planning consent to an even bigger project, Triton Knoll, to be built off the east coast of England.
“This means that the work is out there for ports to capitalise on.. We know that the UK is the top destination for offshore wind investment and this is the type of project we need to make sure British companies and workers feel the benefits of that investment.”
