Council Green Lights series of Yorkshire Energy Park applications

The proposed Yorkshire Energy Park (YEP) has moved one step closer to construction after securing planning permission from East Riding of Yorkshire Council for a series of detailed planning applications.

• Yorkshire Energy Park (YEP) will bring £200m of investment and around 4,480 jobs to the region
• YEP secured outline planning permission in late 2020 and has now received planning permission from East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) for three applications which will bring forward the detail of initial Phases
• This first phase of applications will enable YEP to establish the onsite ecological mitigation zone and then host an energy centre in partnership with Vital Energi and a data centre. Future phases will bring forward further industry, sports facilities and an educational campus with the University of Lincoln.

Earlier this month, the Council’s Planning Committee unanimously approved a Section 73 application, which details minor amendments to the outline planning consent granted in 2020. Last week, Council officers approved two Reserved Matters Applications (RMA). The first providing detail on the construction of a 13.5MW energy centre provided by Vital Energi; a 240-rack data centre; and a new access road including associated drainage infrastructure and landscaping. The second RMA brought forward the detail of an onsite Ecological Mitigation Zone (EMZ) earmarking nearly half of the site as a green space.

These applications will deliver domestic, secure energy generation here in the Humber, protect and enhance our green space and implement new technology for energy production which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40%.

Located on land owned by our partners, Hull City Council, YEP will be a leading energy and technology business park, strategically positioned on the north bank of the UK’s ‘Energy Estuary’ and in one of the Humber Freeport’s proposed tax sites.

Once completed, the park has the potential to create around 4,480 jobs, upskill local workers, create state-of-the-art community sports facilities and an educational campus in conjunction with the University of Lincoln. The project will attract investment in the energy, data, technology and manufacturing sectors to an area that has an abundance of skills and experience in these industries already. Combine all of this with YEP’s location within the East Coast Carbon Capture and Storage Cluster and the proximity to the UK’s “Energy Estuary”, and it is clear that YEP will play an important role in boosting jobs and investments in the region.

Jo Barnes, Director of Yorkshire Energy Park, said:

“We are pleased that the Committee has approved these applications that build on the outline consent YEP already has, taking us a step closer to delivering a state-of-the-art energy and technology business park adjacent to the port and within the proposed freeport tax zone.

We are excited by the potential of Yorkshire Energy Park to bring new investment and jobs to the region and to support our local communities through our partnerships with the University of Lincoln and Vital Energi. Our work with key stakeholders in the South Holderness area has been building over the last few years as we are determined to bring forward something that our local community can be proud of.

We are also committed to putting Yorkshire Energy Park at the heart of the UK’s “Energy Estuary” and these applications are the next part of that journey. We will continue to work closely with the Council and local community to deliver the next phases of YEP.”

Cllr Jonathan Owen, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council said:
“This is an exciting next step for an ambitious long-term project that will bring potentially transformative benefits to East Riding and the wider region in terms of jobs and investment.

We look forward to seeing the project progress and their exciting emerging partnerships developing with Vital Energi and the University of Lincoln, which will create opportunities for local businesses and communities to thrive.”

Cllr Mike Ross, Leader of Hull City Council said:
“The Yorkshire Energy Park has great potential for the local area and as the landowners the council welcomes the recent planning consents.

This project represents a unique opportunity to build on the region’s emerging green credentials and create a world class energy hub on our doorstep. The Council’s partnership with YEP is a further demonstration of the commitment to tackling climate change and embedding sustainability at the heart of what the authority does.”