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The winds of change
The work being done behind the scenes to help kick start a huge wind turbine manufacturing project
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Indicative artist's impression |
The project could create more than 800 jobs and have a knock-on effect through supply chains and further investment, potentially delivering thousands more jobs for the region.
The proposed development, at Alexandra Dock, on Hedon Road, is known as Green Port Hull and is the site which, subject to final approval expected later this year, has been chosen by global engineering firm Siemens as its preferred location to build offshore wind turbines.
Once up and running in 2014, it is estimated the site would produce hundreds of turbines a year and create skilled roles in a wide range of supply chain industries relating to turbine assembly.
Other jobs would be created in legal and financial services, project management and specialist recruitment, plus there would be other support roles including administration and canteen staff, amongst others.
Meanwhile, Associated British Ports (ABP), which owns the site pledged (subject to final agreement) to invest £100 million in the site to make it suitable for the Siemens operation.
Proposals include filling in part of the dock and building a 600m long riverside quay, where the wind turbines can be loaded onto the ships to then be transported out to the wind farms at sea.
There are also proposals to build a wind turbine on the site to provide green power for facilities which would include a factory, warehouse and office space of up to 35,000 square metres.
This wind turbine will generate sufficient green electricity to supply the equivalent of 3,000 homes.
Teamwork
But the project will only go-ahead following the submission of a huge and detailed planning application which will need to be considered by Hull City Council's planning committee.
That's why a special team within the council has been set up to help ensure that the application contains all the necessary information when submitted.
The team involves experts from a wide range of backgrounds and specialist areas including lawyers, environmental health officers, town planners and transport experts who will advise on standards required from noise pollution to impact on wildlife to traffic congestion.
The team is working closely with a range of statutory consultees and non-statutory consultees including the Environment Agency, Highways Agency, English Heritage, Natural England, RSPB and the Ramblers Association.
"We're doing everything we can to make sure the city realises the greatest potential from this vital opportunity," says Mark Jones, head of economic development and regeneration at Hull City Council, who is leading the project team.
"That's why we've assembled a team to help make sure the application is right first time so that the project can be up and running as soon as possible.
"The application, for example, needs to contain stringent measures to protect the amenity of residents on Victoria Dock.
The council is undertaking a full range of consultation at all key stages of the process."
"We've already carried out a large amount of work with ABP in convincing Siemens that Hull is the correct location for them, and securing planning permission is the next stage of the process."
Who's who?
The team includes:
- environmental health officers Emma Tindall and John Rogers, who are informing ABP about standards required when it comes to noise which can be heard by nearby residents, as well as light, dust, odour and air quality
- commercial lawyers Chris Atkinson and Janet Grayson who will be advising the team on legal aspects relating to the proposals
- transportation policy manager Mike Ibbotson who will advise on the possible impact on local roads and options for employees at the site in using green transport initiatives such as park and ride and bus services
- senior development management officer Simon Mounce who will advise on all aspects of planning procedure, including the amending of a Harbour Revision Order which has already been granted at the site for the building of a container terminal and a quay
- economic development officer Helen Stinson, who is responsible for organising the team and making sure timescales are met
- climate change advisor Martin Budd
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Factfile
The site would supply wind turbines to offshore wind farms around the UK and Europe including three of the largest planned offshore wind farms located just 12 hours sailing time from Hull which will accommodate around 5,000 turbines.
These farms will supply a significant part of the UK's total electricity needs by 2020.
Hull was chosen by Siemens over and above several other UK sites and beat competition from more than 80 other sites across Europe.
Hull was chosen partly because the site is already developed and part of an operational port that is close to the off-shore wind farms.
Plus, there was already a successful working partnership between Hull City Council and ABP that could readily assist Siemens in the successful development of an eventual facility.
The University of Hull and Hull College will work alongside the council to create a highly skilled productive workforce.
There are a further 750 hectares of land adjacent to Green Port Hull, which could be used to develop supply chain industries.
The council is helping to maximize the potential for local companies to be involved in the supply chain.
More details of how companies can get involved will be available in the local media over forthcoming months.
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