ABP abandons £450m energy park objection
ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS has withdrawn its challenge over the Government’s development consent order for the £450m Able Marine Energy Park.
Following its rejection last week by a High Court Judge of its attempts to seek a Judicial Review of the decision of the Secretary of State for Transport to grant a Development Control Order for the AMEP project, ABP said it would not pursue the matter further.
The energy park, part of the UK’s largest Enterprise Zone with the potential to create up to 4,000 jobs and planned to cover 906 acres, was given the green light in October.
However, the site has been the subject of a bitter dispute between Able UK and ABP, involving 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.
But Able UK was granted a DCO to create the facility and ABP was ordered to sell it a strip of land required for a quay.
ABP then sought a judicial review of the planning process that led to the government’s decision to grant the order.
It said the decision not to pursue the matter further reflects the reality that it has been unable to convince Able UK of the merits of its compromise proposal “which would have allowed both AMEP and ABP’s own Immingham Western Deepwater Jetty project to be developed in tandem, bringing more jobs to the Humber.”
John Fitzgerald, ABP’s director Humber, said: “The Humber Estuary has a great opportunity to lead the UK’s developing offshore wind and renewable energy industry.
“ABP is spearheading this drive by investing heavily, whether in offshore wind operations and maintenance at the Port of Grimsby, biomass handling in Immingham, or, most significantly, in spending over £310m in conjunction with Siemens to deliver over a thousand new jobs at Green Port Hull.”
“From the outset of the application procedure ABP has not opposed the development of the AMEP offshore wind manufacturing project but has consistently objected to Able UK’s proposed seizure of ABP’s riverside development land at the Port of Immingham.
Mr Fitzgerald added: “We are clearly disappointed not to have convinced Able UK that a compromise could deliver the best outcome for the Humber region.
“Like everyone on the Humber, we are keen to see the offshore wind industry grow and create new opportunities for the region and its young people.
“ABP and its customers have led the way on offshore wind thus far.
“Able UK’s clear commitment to the offshore wind industry is welcome and many will be looking forward to them delivering on their promise to create over 4000 direct jobs at AMEP and help cement the Humber Estuary’s position as the UK hub for this developing industry.”
Able UK executive chairman Peter Stephenson said: “I am sure that across the whole region there will be a sigh of relief that this saga, which has gone on for so long, is now coming to an end and that we can all now concentrate on driving forward AMEP and the commitment we all share to transform the economy of the area and establish the Humber as world leader in the renewable energy industries.
“ABP says it has taken this decision because it has been unable to convince Able of the merits of its case, but, of course, the reality is that its arguments have failed to convince the hugely detailed and lengthy planning process, overseen by senior planning inspectors, a Government Minister, a Joint Parliamentary Committee—and finally the High Court.
“It has not been a case of us seeking the ‘seizure’ of the small area of land needed for our development, but the decision, again by the planning inspectorate, the Secretary of State, a Joint Parliamentary Committee—and the High Court—that the legal process of compulsory acquisition was both proper and justified.
“It is for others to judge whether ABP’s actions were justified and why they have now decided to abandon their objections over a year since the Government granted a Development Consent Order for AMEP. For our part we now want to work with all parties in delivering our vision of providing the state-of-the-art facilities for offshore renewable technologies at the largest site available for port-related developments in Europe.”
Speaking about ABP’s decision, chairman of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Lord Haskins said: “ABP has taken a positive step to bring this dispute to a close and it is a move which will be widely welcomed.
“ABP are and will continue to be, crucial to the success of the renewables industry on the Humber and I look forward to continuing to work with them and Able UK to support the development of the sector across the region.”
Also welcoming ABP’s decision, Martin Vickers MP for Cleethorpes, said: “ABP’s commercial position in respect of the compulsory acquisition of their development land at Immingham has been understandable. Their decision to now draw a line under the issue provides a strong foundation for us all to move forward and promote the Humber’s position as a major renewable energy hub.”
