Green Port Hull plans given the go ahead

SIEMENS and ABP will begin work on the £310m Green Port Hull scheme later this year after Hull City Council’s planning committee approved plans this afternoon.

The council has given consent to the proposed works at Alexandra Dock, Green Port Hull, following the submission of detailed plans by Associated British Ports (ABP) and Siemens in June.

Engineering giant Siemens announced in March that it is to invest £160m in the previously announced site at Green Port Hull in Alexandra Dock and in a new rotor blade manufacturing facility in Paull. ABP is investing a further £150m in the Green Port Hull development.

The £310m investment will create up to 1,000 jobs directly – 550 at the blade factory and 450 at Green Port Hull – with additional jobs during construction and indirectly in the supply chain.

The first turbines to be assembled at the offshore wind turbine plant could be ready for shipping by 2018.

Planning applications for work at the Paull blade site are set to be submitted later this year to East Riding of Yorkshire Council. 

Finbarr Dowling, Siemens project director for Hull, said: “We are delighted that the plans for Alexandra Dock have been approved today by Hull City Council. These works represent an important step in the overall programme which will be progressed in coming months and years.

“Many people have worked exceptionally hard to get the project to this stage and we are grateful for this commitment and the support of the people of Hull. We will continue to work closely together with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that we continue to make good progress in the delivery timeline.

“This is a key project for the region, for the UK wind industry and for the UK in helping to deliver the future low carbon economy.”

ABP director Humber, John Fitzgerald, said: “Following that momentous day in March, this decision marks another important project milestone for our Green Port Hull development and we welcome it. We’re working closely with all parties to finalise a project that has the potential to deliver something truly fantastic for this city and the Humber region.”

Councillor Steven Brady from Hull City Council said the decision marks a crucial step forward in plans for establishing Hull as the UK’s Energy Estuary.

“We are delighted with the plans presented by Siemens and ABP for the proposed wind turbine assembly and service facility at Alexandra Dock and we look forward to working with our partners on this key project,” he said. “This will not only make a huge difference to the city’s economy, but also help transform green energy and ensure that Hull is the market leader for the UK’s offshore wind industry.

“We are working closely with Siemens to ensure that the benefits from this landmark investment are maximised in terms of increased business activity and high quality employment. Coming fully on stream during the City of Culture celebrations, 2017 will be a truly transformational year for Hull.”