Proposed 'green energy' processing plant in Humber Estuary could create 1100-plus construction jobs

                                         

Artist's impression of the 'green energy' project proposed for the South Bank of the Humber 

AN ambitious plan by ABP to build and operate a 'green energy'  processing plant in the Humber Estuary could create as many as 1,112 jobs in the construction sector.

Assuming the Government's planning inspectorate approves the project, there could also be significant permanent employment - 134 direct new jobs and 142 indirect jobs. 

Although there is no breakdown on the nature of the jobs, these figures have revealed in a document seen by the Grimsby News.

The Local Impact Report published by North East Lincolnshire Council's investment partner, Equans, states: "The proposal represents a significant investment in the port, manufacturing, chemical and logistics sectors which will support the wider economic growth of the South Humber Bank.

"This is especially the case during the construction period and then for the future supporting services, such as technical support, engineering and servicing."

To be located at Immingham, the joint venture with and Air Products plc would involve importing  ammonia - probably from Saudi Arabia - for conversion to hydrogen for use as a fuel in  shipping, buses and HGVs.

There are also likely to be other industrial applications. 

The report continues: "The proposed development is of a very large scale, both in terms of land-take and physical scale.

"The highest elements of the development would be  the hydrogen production units with flare stacks up to 45 metres high and the ammonia storage tank element which has infrastructure up to 65 metres high, the main tank being 40 metres high.2

Would the development be a blot on the landscape? Possibly yes - but no more than others on the South Bank of the  Humber such as  the ports of Grimsby and Immingham and petrochemical installations at Killingholme.

Says the report: "Whilst visible in the landscape the proposed development would not stand alone but add to the existing industrial landscape."

There are some downsides.  

Inevitably, traffic disruption would inevitable during the construction phase, with the document indicating approximately  200 HGV movements and 1500 car/van movements per day at peak times.

It says: "Whilst  these are large numbers, it would not result in severe impacts on the highway network."

Some 220 mature trees would need to be felled  in order to connect the liquid bulk pipeline from the proposed jetty to the storage and production facilities,

Natural England has also expressed misgivings about a potentially adverse impact on the many wetland birds that over-winter on the estuary mudflat.

However, the report deliberately refrains from comment  about both biodiversity and geodiveristy.

It states: "There is the potential for terrestrial, intertidal and marine ecological impact, but it is considered that Natural England and the Marine Management Organisation  are the  appropriate bodies to consider the intertidal and marine impacts."

                                                              

The report estimates more than a thousand jobs if the Immingham project goes ahead