£450m energy park gets go-ahead

A JOINT parliamentary committee has given Able UK the go-ahead for its £450m Marine Energy Park after rejecting objections by Associated British Ports (ABP).

The Able Marine Energy Park was granted approval almost a year ago. 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.

Earlier this year, port operator ABP filed two petitions to Parliament seeking a compromise on the energy park. 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.

Yesterday, its concerns were rejected by the joint committee which upheld the decision to grant planning permission.

Executive chairman of Able UK Peter Stephenson said it was “brilliant news” for the region.

He also said that he hopes ABP would now “step back” from any further action.

ABP said it will “now consider its options.”