The Yorkshire Energy Park Community Fund will consider applications for projects that:

• Promote greener living and create better environments, such as community planting projects or nature trails
• Inspire people to learn and undertake training, such as free training courses or advice sessions for residents
• Improve the local community, such as community events, support for local sport teams or groups or encouraging volunteering

Community organisations operating within the South West Holderness Ward can apply for the first round of funding until 10th May 2024. Additional rounds may open later in the year subject to funds still being available.

A well-attended launch event was held on Wednesday 10th April at Paull Village Hall where local groups heard about the impact of funding on previous benefactors and received information and support for applying to the 2024 fund.

Director of Yorkshire Energy Park and MD of local business Sewell Group, Jo Barnes, said:

“We are proud to be part of the local community in South West Holderness.

“The return of the Yorkshire Energy Park Community Fund demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our local community, while we continue to push forward the development itself.

“After the successes of last year’s fund, we are excited by the opportunity to offer financial support again to community groups so they can continue their vital work amid ever increasing pressures and challenges.”

Helen Grimwood, Chief Executive at Hull CVS said:

“Charities and voluntary groups continue to make a huge difference to local people in the South West Holderness area and it is great to work in partnership with Yorkshire Energy Park in getting vital funds to these groups.

“The funding last year supported organisations in improving the environment, offering opportunities to learn and supporting events or activity that brought local people together – and will be the key themes for this funding round. Managing this grant on behalf of Yorkshire Energy Park means that Hull CVS can also provide additional support and guidance on governance and other areas, to groups who apply.”

For more information and to apply to the fund, visit www.hullcvs.org.uk/yorkshire-energy-park-fund

The land, now known as Yorkshire Energy Park, is allocated as part of the Humber Freeport to the east of Hull.

Cabinet’s decision means that implementation of the £200m scheme can go ahead which 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 one million square feet of business space, green technology education and sports facilities proposed.

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

This is expected to 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.

The commercial arrangements will increase the level of financial benefits to the council in terms of capital receipts and long-term revenue income share.

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.

The YEP is located adjacent to the Saltend End Chemicals Park in the Humber Freeport UK. By 2030 the UK is expected to have transitioned from being a major European producer of internal combustion engines to being a world leader in the manufacture of electric drive units. Without a secure magnet metal supply chain, this transition is under threat.

As part of its plans to establish an independent supply chain for magnet metals, Pensana is currently undertaking studies into the conversion of rare earth oxides into magnet metals using electric furnaces powered by offshore wind.

The letter of intent with YEP covers the proposed site as well as the supply of zero carbon electricity and a range of bespoke facilities for the processing of rare earths in magnet metals, R&D and supply chain activities.

The event was also attended by the Vice Chancellor of Lincoln University, which is working with Pensana and YEP to create a regional specialised centre of engineering excellence, training and higher education on YEP
for the Humber region.

Paul Atherley, Pensana Chairman, commented: ”The partnership between YEP and Pensana is part of a broader study being undertaken to demonstrate how the UK can draw on its chemical engineering heritage and by connecting to offshore wind to create resilient supply chains to support the UK’s automotive sector in its transition from a major producer of internal combustion engines to be a world leader in the manufacture of electric drive units.”

Chris Turner, YEP Chairman, commented: “We welcome the opportunity to deepen our collaboration with Pensana and the University of Lincoln on this nationally significant project. It represents another milestone for YEP and the Humber Freeport in delivering a zero carbon/advanced technology industrial cluster on the Humber.”

Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of University of Lincoln commented: “This collaboration not only propels opportunities for the growth of research, development, and supply chain activities, but also sets a new standard for sustainable energy practices. Together with our esteemed partners, we are pleased to play a part in shaping a future in which the Yorkshire Energy Park stands as a 2 beacon of excellence in engineering, training, and higher education for the entire Humber region, bringing economic benefit as well as supporting our Net-Zero goals.”

The information contained within this announcement is considered by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No.596/2014.Upon the publication ofthis announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information will be considered to be in the public domain. The person responsible for arranging for the release of this announcement on behalf of the Company is Paul Atherley, Chairman.

15 organisations from the local area have benefitted from funding for projects, ranging from schools and sports groups to Brownies and the Royal British Legion.

The grants will go towards helping several valuable local projects, including supporting St Augustine’s Pantry food bank in Hedon, providing activities for children at Paull Primary School, and helping Preston United AFC and Thorngumbald Barrons to continue their work in providing sports activities for local people.

Sue Pulko of St Augustine’s Pantry in Hedon said:

“St Augustine’s Pantry was set up in 2020 by the church to reduce the financial pressure on those who are struggling for money, and help improve their sense of self-worth. We help around 25-30 families each week, providing donated food and household goods. Since the start of the year and the rising cost of living, we’ve seen more and more people coming to us for help. The funding we’ve received from the Yorkshire Energy Park Community Fund will enable us to continue helping local families in their time of need.”

Project Director of Yorkshire Energy Park, Andrew Reynolds, said:

“We’re delighted to be part of the local community in South West Holderness, and to be able to support many organisations that make a huge difference to the local area.

“We were bowled over by the number of high quality applications and the decisions around which groups to support were tough.

“As we look forward to the development of Yorkshire Energy Park, we’ll continue with our commitments to support the region by creating jobs, supporting education and skills development and giving back to the local community.”

The Yorkshire Energy Park Community Fund will consider applications from projects that:

• Promote green living and create better environments, such as community planting projects or nature trails.
• Inspire people to learn and undertake training, such as free training courses or advice sessions for residents.
• Improve the local community, such as community events, support for local sports teams or groups, or encouraging volunteering.

Administered by longstanding local charity Hull CVS, the fund made grants of £500 to £5000 available to groups operating within the South West Holderness Ward of East Riding of Yorkshire Council. An independent panel of local people, including councillors and volunteers at local community groups, decided which local groups would benefit from the scheme.

Yorkshire Energy Park, which is currently under development, will be a UK energy and technology business park, located near Preston. It will deliver renewable energy, battery storage and state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, plus space for research and development.

Kersty Smith of Hull CVS, who has been administering the fund, said:

“We’re delighted to be involved with the management of the Community Fund on behalf of the Yorkshire Energy Park. The fund ensures that voluntary groups in the South West Holderness area are able to deliver vital work in the community and help to make the area a better place to live, work and visit.

“The full grant allocation has now been dispersed following a hugely successful launch, and we’ll be opening up for more applications from April 2024. We’d love to see as many groups as possible apply so they can continue to delivery great projects and activities across the ward.

“We’d recommend that groups wanting to sign up for this and other funding in the South West Holderness area register on the East Riding 4 Community website for updates on when more grants will be available.”

The full list of companies awarded grants include:

• Preston Brownies
• Hedon Guides
• Preston Ladies & Girls
• Friends of Hedon School
• Friends of Paull Primary
• Friends of Inmans School
• Hedon Museum
• Preston AFC
• Preston Village Community Group
• Royal British Legion Hedon
• St Augustine’s Pantry
• Thorngumbald Barrons
• Thorngumbald Pre School
• Friends of Thorngumbald School
• Hedon Methodist Church

Yorkshire Energy Park will be a UK freeport energy and technology business park, located within the Humber Freeport, close to the UK’s busiest port complex and planned hydrogen infrastructure as part of the H2H project. Providing resilient, clean energy for its occupiers, alongside data resilience and superfast broadband, Yorkshire Energy Park is a compelling offer and one that has attracted significant interest from both funders and occupiers, nationally and internationally.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Planning Committee voted in favour of granting planning permission for the scheme on 14 November 2019 on the basis of significant economic, social and environmental benefits, listed below:

• £200m investment into the Humber region over an estimated 10 year development period
• Circa 4,480 new jobs (construction, direct and indirect)
• Inward investment from the energy, data, technology and manufacturing sectors
• Business incubator space for start-ups and SMEs
• An education campus with space for research and development, to train and develop the next generation of business leaders and professionals
• New sports facilities for the whole community
• 45 hectares of protected wildlife zone on site, providing improved habitat for protected species, approved by Natural England
• A further 89 hectares of protected land off site at Thorn Marsh for wintering bird species which secured planning consent on 14 November 2019
• Improved highways infrastructure in and around the site to open up this site and other economic development opportunities in the area around the Port, agreed with National Highways (formerly Highways England)
• A regional flood solution, approved by the Environment Agency

The former Energy Minister, responsible for signing the UK’s net zero commitment into law, visited the region to hear about the progress that has been made to decarbonise industry and transition to a low carbon economy.

The discussion, which took place at Hull’s Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI), focused on the opportunities and challenges facing the Humber region, its businesses and its people.

It highlighted the importance of focusing on whole-region decarbonisation, supporting small and medium-sized businesses on their net zero journey and ensuring the Humber has the skilled workforce and talent to achieve ambitious targets set by government.

Engaging the public and driving behavioural change was also at the heart of the conversation, as it was acknowledged many people remain unsure on the action they can take to play their part.

The session was chaired by Dr Diana Taylor, Managing Director of place promotion organisation Future Humber, and featured senior figures from leading companies and organisations including Siemens Gamesa, Humber Freeport, Reckitt, Smith+Nephew, Hull City Council and Sewell Group.

Dr Taylor said: “It’s vitally important that, when we talk about net zero, we focus on the region as a whole. We often focus the conversation on big industry, knowing the scale of opportunity that arises for the Humber through industrial decarbonisation, however the net zero transition is something which every business, organisation and person must embark on.

“We have a unique opportunity in the Humber to create a roadmap for whole-place decarbonisation, which can act as a blueprint for both the UK and Europe.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Chris Skidmore back to the region for a discussion around the immense progress made by businesses and organisations across the Humber, and also the challenges facing many on their decarbonisation journey.”

Central to the roundtable discussion was the Humber’s unique position – both geographically and economically – as a global trade gateway, a world-leading centre for renewable energy and a hub for digital innovation.

The strength of collaboration between the public and private sectors was highlighted, as well as a shared commitment from business and industry to reduce their carbon footprint.

With the region clustered around the UK’s busiest port complex, the Humber handles around 17 per cent of the nation’s trade.

The Humber Freeport, which recently formed its board, strengthens that offering and can act as a major catalyst for future investment around net zero.

Simon Green, Humber Freeport Interim CEO, joined the roundtable event at C4DI.

He said: “Within Humber Freeport we’ve got three clear workstreams – decarbonisation, skills and innovation.

“When it comes to net zero and reducing carbon emissions, clearly all three of those streams overlap and interlink. It is when you combine all of those areas that the really exciting developments and opportunities start to happen.

“My message to Government is this … let’s work more closely together to enhance our relationship and unlock all of the benefits this region offers.

“We produce 15 million tonnes of carbon every year in the Humber – it is the second-largest emitter of carbon in Europe. Put simply, if the Humber region does not achieve net zero, then the UK will not either.”

The roundtable discussion featured:

• Chris Skidmore MP, Chair of the Net Zero Review
• Dr Diana Taylor, Managing Director, Future Humber
• Simon Green, CEO, Humber Freeport
• Cllr Mike Ross, Leader, Hull City Council
• Martin Budd, Climate Change Manager, Hull City Council
• Paul Andrews, Director of Global Energy, Smith+Nephew
• Andy Sykes, Plant Director, Siemens Gamesa
• Jo Barnes, Managing Director, Sewell Estates
• David Lewy, Director of Government Relations (UK), Reckitt

Sewell Estates is part of Hull-based multi-disciplinary company Sewell Group, an investor in the £200m Yorkshire Energy Park, and Jo Barnes highlighted the challenges facing the development due to National Grid connections.

She said: “Once operational, Yorkshire Energy Park will generate far more power than it will consume. That is energy which could go directly into other local industry and help to feed the grid, as well as creating many quality, highly-skilled new jobs on site.

“We have got significant interest in Yorkshire Energy Park, but we have had to work hard to remove barriers to development over the last seven years, including securing our grid connection and dealing with off-site infrastructure.

“These issues are common to many development sites in our area and I do worry that the timelines involved in resolving these issues could stymie the wider potential of our region.

“UK Plc cannot afford to turn down global investment.”

Chris Skidmore MP was commissioned in autumn 2022 to Chair an independent review into the Government’s approach to achieving net zero status by 2050.

The report was published in March, and set out the progress which has already been made in the UK and plans for further policy to support business and industry in achieving net zero.

Speaking at the roundtable event in Hull, Mr Skidmore MP said: “Having been responsible for the UK’s net zero commitment signed into law four years ago this week, I am constantly struck by how businesses and industry recognise that this is a unique economic opportunity to deliver regeneration, new jobs and growth in their region.

“This is especially the case for the Humber region, which has long been the shining example of how renewable industries can transform local economies. Hull has a fantastic vision for a net zero future, that demonstrates how if we can empower regions to get on with the job, they will deliver.

“I was incredibly impressed both by the commitment of the businesses I met, but also the detail of the plans that the Humber region has.

“I am grateful to Future Humber and Reckitt for giving me the opportunity to visit on my Net Zero Tour I’m continuing as part of my Mission Zero report engagement across the country.”

The session was facilitated by Future Humber, whose powerful Bondholder network spans both public and private sectors.

The Yorkshire Energy Park Community Fund will consider applications for projects that:
• Promote greener living and create better environments, such as community planting projects or nature trails.
• Inspire people to learn and undertake training, such as free training courses or advice sessions for residents.
• Improve the local community, such as community events, support for local sport teams or groups or encouraging volunteering.

Community organisations within (or operating within the South Holderness Ward) could apply for the first round of funding from 30th March 2023 until the 30th April 2023. Additional rounds will open later in the year subject to funds still being available.

Project Director of the Yorkshire Energy Park, Andrew Reynolds, said: “We are proud to be part of the local community in South West Holderness.

“The launch of the Yorkshire Energy Park Community Fund demonstrates our ongoing commitment to that thriving community, while we continue to push forward the development of the Energy Park itself.

“We are excited by the opportunity to help community groups continue their vital work amid ever increasing pressures and challenges. We would encourage local groups to come along to the launch event to learn more about YEP, the Community Fund and how we can work together.”

Matthew Wright, Head of Community Development at Hull CVS said: “This is an exciting opportunity for not for profit groups operating in the South West Holderness area to access funding to support local delivery. I am delighted that we’ll be able to support groups in accessing these funds that improve the environment, offer opportunities to learn and events or activity that bring local people together.”

The application window is closed at the moment and grants for 2023 have already been awarded. We’ll announce new dates for applications soon.

The team have visited several schools in Hull and the East Riding to tell them about the £200m Yorkshire Energy Park development and jobs that will be created in the years to come.

UKSTEM, a national organisation that aims to engage students in science, technology, engineering and maths by running workshops alongside industry, joined the team to talk about the onset of hydrogen as a renewable energy source and ran a session with students to build a hydrogen fuelled car.

Cameron Wood, Consultant at Shared Agenda, who is working on the Yorkshire Energy Park project said:

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the Humber, with more jobs being created in renewable industries and we wanted to take the opportunity to work with local schools to inspire the next generation about future careers they could consider.

“As the team behind the Yorkshire Energy Park project and a local business ourselves, it’s incredibly important for us to bring local people and students on this journey with us. Work is due to start on site later this year and we want to help people understand what’s coming and what fantastic news this is for the region.”

Julia Lovel, Lead Practitioner from Holderness Academy & Sixth Form College, said:

“The team gave our students a fantastic learning experience. It was a privilege to see them having the opportunity to build a hydrogen fuelled car and rising to the metacognitive challenges of the task with, in some cases, such fierce competitive drive!

“They enjoyed a remarkable experience that they will go home and talk about and recall in future years.”

Mike Cargill, Managing Director of UKSTEM, added:

“It was great to see the students engage with the workshop so much. Not only did they enjoy creating the cars and racing them, but it gave us the opportunity to speak to them about the wider hydrogen economy and how sustainable energy is going to be such a huge part of their future and how they can be a part of that, particularly with being located in the proposed Humber Freeport.”

Once completed, Yorkshire Energy 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.

These works are to carefully clear vegetation, in line with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, to provide access to upgrade and install new stock proof fencing later in the year. The works will be overseen by an independent ecologist to ensure best practices are followed by contractors. Most activity will take place in the north west of the site, particularly around the site boundary – as seen on the map below.

Clearance work zones shown in yellow on the map.

All works will be undertaken in daytime hours using approved local contractors, with noise and traffic impacts kept to a minimum. Fencing and ecological works are planned to start in Summer 2023, prior to which local residents will be consulted.

If you have any queries about the works on site, please contact hello@yorkshire-energy-park.co.uk or 01482701251 where a member of the development team will be able to provide more detail.

• 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.”