Hull and East Riding council leaders reveal where they stand on £200m Yorkshire Energy Park plans

A final decision of the scheme earmarked for a site off Hull Road and Staithes Road rests with East Riding Council’s planning committee.

Councillors on the committee are expected to give their verdict in the next few weeks.

But in a joint statement, East Riding Council leader Councillor Steve Parnaby and his Hull counterpart Councillor Steve Brady said the scheme fitted with wider strategic aims to boost employment in the region.

They said: “Major investment and sustainable jobs are always good news for residents and businesses.

“We are delighted that international companies are committing themselves to our region and they recognise our ambitious plans for the Humber as the UK’s Energy Estuary.

“We are particularly interested in learning more about the wider added value they can collectively bring to the area.

“We are aware that the Yorkshire Energy Park proposals are very complex and that the applicant continues to work with the planning authority and statutory agencies in an attempt to resolve some outstanding matters.

“As with all applications the planning process will take its course and consider all the relevant issues.”

Although the site is in the East Riding, the land is actually owned by the city council so both authorities have a keen interest in the outcome of the planning process.

Their comments come after Humber Local Enterprise Partnership chairman Lord Haskins gave his backing to the scheme earlier this week.

If given the go-ahead, the park will include an energy generation centre, a data storage centre, an education and training campus and new-look community sports facilities.

Big name companies including E.ON, Legal & General, SSE Utilities, Dell, Asanti and BYD, are all supporting the planning application submitted by a consortium of companies behind the development.

Meanwhile, a community information hub offering an insight into the scheme is now up and running in the Sirius Business Centre in St Augustine’s Gate in Hedon.

Project director Rob Cawkwell said: “We have held three rounds of public consultation over the last two years, Feedback from the community has helped shape those plans and we are keen to continue that dialogue.

“We also want to highlight the huge benefits this scheme will bring to our region, from new business start-ups to apprenticeships and training.

“We would urge anybody with any questions, or those who would just like to learn a bit more about the energy park, to come and pay our team a visit.”

The hub is open weekdays, from 9am to 4.30pm until October 26.