The move by Associated British Ports to launch another attempt to block the Able Marine Energy Park on the south bank of the Humber has been described by the project developers as showing ‘a blatant disregard for the planning process, for Parliament, the overwhelming views of the local community–and is seriously damaging the economic development prospects of the South Humber Bank.’
The company was responding to the news that ABP is seeking a Judicial Review of the planning process that led to the Government’s decision to grant a Development Consent Order for AMEP
Able Group Development Director Neil Etherington said: “We are sure that by taking this step ABP are even more isolated than they were from virtually every other interest on the Humber—the Local Enterprise Partnership, the local business community, local Members of Parliament and their constituents, the vast majority of whom will be appalled that a development of such importance to the area is again being delayed and put into jeopardy by the actions of a single company.
“Whatever ‘spin’ ABP attempt to put on this latest move they cannot avoid the conclusion that their primary interest is in defending the near monopoly position on port operations which the Humber has had to endure for so many years.
“Their claim that the so-called ‘Killingholme Triangle’—the small area of land which is needed for AMEP—is of vital importance to them was undermined by their own Chief Executive when he told the joint Parliamentary Committee that the isolated site was merely needed to give them ‘elbow room’ for the future…and added, astonishingly, that ABP was ‘agnostic’ about offshore wind developments.
“This latest legal tactic is attempting to overthrow not only the decision of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, who rejected ABP’s petitions before even hearing ABLE’s case’ but also both the hugely detailed and lengthy planning enquiry and then ultimately the decision of the Secretary of State for Transport.
“ABP really are at the last chance saloon and we see their response as being as spiteful as it is desperate and we remain entirely confident that due process, as it has already, will see through their tiresome and vindictive smoke and mirrors.”