Humber Enterprise Zone approved

FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENTS are expected today confirming that the bid for a Humber Enterprise Zone, aimed at attracting new renewable energy developments to the Humber, has been accepted by the Government.

The 375 hectare Humber Renewable Energy Super Cluster covers both banks of the River Humber and includes the site of a Wind Turbine Manufacturing Plant proposed to be built by Siemens at Alexandra Dock as part of a Green Port Hull initiative, and a 2,000-acre energy park construction by ABLE UK Ltd near Killingholme.

As part of the Humber Enterprise Partnership, a separate North Bank group will bring together the East Riding, Hull and Scarborough to focus especially on tourism and the rural economy.

It is believed that up to 10,000 new jobs could be created with the further development of land as part of the Enterprise Zone proposals.

Enterprise Zone status will help the local economy and employment through £7.9m worth of business tax breaks, fewer planning restrictions and other incentives.

Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of the East Riding Council, said: “I am delighted that the Government has given the green light to the new Enterprise Zone, which will help us promote the local economy. It will be particularly useful in developing the Humber ports and the emerging renewable energy sector centred on Siemens’s proposed new wind turbine manufacturing plant in Hull.”

As reported in July this year the land under consideration for the Humber Enterprise Zone also includes “a largely undeveloped 49-hectare site at Paull east of Saltend”.