Yorkshire Energy Park rubber-stamped by Hull

Allocated as part of the Humber Freeport, the former Hedon Aerodrome site will house a £200m development centred on renewable power.

Hull City Council’s cabinet has now greenlit the project, to the east of the city.

The local authority said that the scheme will act as a catalyst for the Humber ‘Energy Estuary’ provision and green energy storage.

The council previously established an agreement for the land to support its future development, with up to 1m sq ft of business space, green technology education and sports facilities proposed.

The revised scheme will help to deliver renewable energy, battery storage and digital infrastructure, as well as space to facilitate research and development in sustainable energy.

Hull said this could create around 4,500 jobs, both on and off site as part of the construction phase, for which a target of 80 per cent would be recruited through local employment, bringing a wider impact on the economy.

It will also support the progression of a successful £22m bid to the Green Heat Network Fund for the city’s second district heating scheme which will make use of waste heat from Saltend Chemicals Park.

Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “This decision will provide significant opportunities at the Yorkshire Energy Park.

“It will help cement Hull’s status as a leader in renewable energy, whilst also creating large-scale local job opportunities in the area.”

The site falls outside of Hull’s administrative boundary, however public engagement with residents of Hedon was conducted, as well as with sports clubs and statutory service providers and bodies.

The project also involves the relocation and enhancement of the sports facilities in the area, with hundreds currently using the pitches during football and rugby seasons.