Humber International Enterprise Park plans deferred

Plans for a huge business park near Hedon which could bring £350m into the East Riding have been deferred and are set for further public consultation amid residents’ concerns.

East Riding Council’s Planning Committee voted unanimously to put plans for the Humber International Enterprise Park in Hedon Haven on hold for consultation on the site and a proposed new road.

David Morris, speaking for applicant Associated British Ports (ABP), told the committee several national and international companies had already shown interest in moving to the site if it goes ahead.

Mr Morris added its potential for millions in direct investment and to create up to 6,500 jobs would benefit villages close to the development planned next to Saltends Chemical Park.

But South West Holderness ward member Cllr John Dennis told the committee the development would be bigger than the town of Hedon and the village of Paull combined.

Resident Andrew Nicholson told councillors he and others feared its size would increase flooding, congest local roads and cause noise and air pollution in the developer’s pursuit of “private gain”.

ABP is set to hold further talks with locals on the park and a new road from Hull Road to Paull Road and present revised plans to councillors before a further decision.

An ABP spokesperson said following the meeting they were “frustrated” by the decision but remained confident it would eventually be approved.

The spokesperson said:

“If approved, this project could potentially bring thousands of new jobs to Hull and the East Riding and could have a huge beneficial effect for local businesses who would become suppliers to the new investment.”

The council is also awaiting responses from Highways England on how they predict the development would impact on local roads.

The site south west of Hedon bypass earmarked for the development in the initial or outline plans is included in the Humber Enterprise Zone.

Mr Morris told the committee:

“The site has been allocated for employment use since the 1950’s.

“We’re committed to the area and we’ve made changes to the plans since they were originally submitted after speaking with locals.

“The south west corner of the site is now a no building zone and we’ve expanded the Newton Garth habitat area by 20 hectares, making it 56 hectares in total.

“The total development area has been reduced by 22 per cent, and visibility of the Hedon and Paull churches will also be maintained.

“We’re going to provide storage for flood water to keep those on and off site safe.

“We’ve been approached by a number of national and international companies interested in operating from the park and we’re currently in talks with two of them.”

Cllr Dennis said:

“This development would be built on the last bit of countryside between existing industry, Hedon and Paull, it would be bigger than the two of them combined.

“Residents have expressed many concerns, they chose to live in the country not in a primarily industrial area.

“Local parish councils accept some development will take place here because it’s allocated land, but industry has been allowed to spill out into our ward.”

Mr Nicholson said:

“This business park would be the size of Monaco and six and a half times larger than Vatican City.

“If it goes wrong it will affect our children and grandchildren, the plans show a substantial loss of land between Salt End and Hedon, this is unacceptable.

“It would be incredibly sad for Hedon and Paull if this is passed.”

Committee chair Cllr David Tucker said:

“Lots of concerns have been raised about this, the resident and applicant have also made some very pertinent points.

“This is a huge development for the area, especially on the back of the recently approved Yorkshire Energy Park.

“Public engagement will be key, if they can be brought on board then this will transition into a good plan and well needed development, the jobs are needed especially in these times.”