Wind Farm Base Project Gets UK Local Green Light

Green for go as Hull City Council approves Associated British Ports and Siemens’ planning application for Green Port Hull

Hull City Council’s Planning Committeehas given its consent to the proposed Green Port Hull facility following the submission of plans by Associated British Ports (ABP) and Siemens plc.

The German manufacturer, which will invest about £80m, plans to have the site operational by 2014, in time to start making turbines ahead of the first UK Round 3 projects.
Steven Bayes, portfolio holder for economic regeneration and employment on Hull City Council, says: "We welcome that the planning committee has approved the application as it marks another key milestone in this major project.

Negotiations to secure and sign a commercial agreement between the two companies continue, with a deal expected to be finalised later in the year, though the planning approval will further help seal Siemens’ commitment to build a new facility in Hull.
 
There are a number of conditions on the application that were not unexpected and the team is already poised to work through them to secure an unconditional approval as soon as possible. The plans must also now be approved by the Secretary of State which could take up to 28 days.

Joint applications were made for the demolition of existing buildings at Alexandra Dock and the development of a factory, office and amenity facilities and a helicopter landing site, as well as areas for the storage, handling, assembly, and testing of wind turbine components.

Dan McGrail, project manager for Siemens, said: "We are of course delighted that the plans have been approved which is a major milestone in such an important project for Siemens in the UK. We continue to work with ABP to agree the commercial terms for the site and look forward to driving the remainder of the outstanding actions and continue to make good progress in the delivery timeline.”