Approval nears for £450m Able scheme

A huge employment boost for the Humber has moved a step closer after government minister Norman Baker revealed that he is “minded to approve” Able UK’s plans for its £450m Marine Energy Park on the south bank of the Humber. Baker has, however, delayed the final decision until December.

Before reaching a final decision Baker has asked Able Humber Ports to provide further information on two issues.

In particular, he has requested more detail about the new habitat to replace the part of the Humber Estuary where the new harbour would be built and the arrangements for access across the Killingholme Branch railway.

Able has been asked to reply to the Department for Transport by 25 September 2013, after which other interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on Able’s response.

Covering almost 800 acres, the park will provide quayside facilities purpose-built for the manufacture, assembly and installation of offshore renewable technologies, at Able Humber Port. The park is at the centre of the largest enterprise zone in the UK.

Able said that as well as attracting about 4,000 jobs directly, it would be the catalyst for creating a cluster of companies and establishing the Humber as world-class centre for the renewable energy industries.