Humber Energy Park dispute to be reviewed
THERE are further delays for the £450m Able Marine Energy Park plans, after Parliament has agreed to review objections made by Associated British Ports (ABP).
Able founder and executive chairman, Peter Stephenson, has warned that if the process results in backing ABP’s proposed changes to the plans then ‘AMEP, quite simply, will not happen.’
Stephenson said: “However much ABP wish to spin the so-called ‘compromise’ the reality is that their actions would destroy the most important development in the area for decades.”
The Able Marine Energy Park was granted approval in December. The site in Immingham is part of the UK’s largest Enterprise Zone with the potential to create up to 4,000 jobs and is planned to cover 906 acres, providing 1,279 metres of quayside facilities purpose built for the manufacture, assembly and installation of offshore renewable technologies.
Port operator ABP filed two petitions to Parliament seeking a compromise on the Humber’s £450m Able Marine Energy Park last month. The Park involves the compulsory purchase of a triangle of land owned by ABP, which objected as it wants to build a new jetty in the same place.
An ABP spokesperson said: “ABP are pleased with the decision that it is right for Parliament to review Able UK’s plans for AMEP.
“We also welcome the view expressed by the committee chairman at the hearing that both parties should work to reach a compromise as soon as possible.”
Hearings in front of a Parliamentary Committee will now follow.
ABP added: “The decision is undoubtedly a positive step forward and can now pave the way for a compromise to be agreed that will successfully deliver both AMEP and ABP’s Immingham Western Deepwater Jetty without further delay.
“ABP’s compromise proposal will not threaten any of the jobs Able UK hopes to create.
“Developing both projects will deliver the best result for the Humber economy as a whole and the largest number of jobs for the region.
“A compromise will also ensure the Port of Immingham, the UK’s largest port, will be able to continue to grow, increasing its vital contribution both to the economy and to national energy security.
“A compromise is the right outcome for the Humber and we urge Able UK to come to the table and work with us as quickly as possible.”
Stephenson added: “The alleged ‘compromise’ that ABP has put forward is that we should make a major reduction in the length of the quay at AMEP in order to avoid including the now infamous small area known as the ‘Killingholme triangle’ which the Government has given us the go-ahead to acquire and that it is needed for the development. ABP know full well that this simply isn’t feasible and I do not want anybody to misunderstand the serious nature of the situation. If they succeed then quite simply AMEP will not happen.
“ABP continues to ignore the overwhelming wish of the entire local community—Members of Parliament, the local authority, the Local Enterprise Partnership, the local business community and the thousands of people who stand to benefit from AMEP.
“If they were to ultimately succeed they would also strike a hammer blow against the Government’s hopes of establishing the UK as the leader in the offshore wind industry.”
