Offset plans prompt Natural England to withdraw objection to major energy park

Proposed by local developers the Sewell Group and real estate advisors Avison Young, Yorkshire Energy Park is envisioned as mixed development including a business park, education centre, data centre, gas-fuelled reserve power plant, sports facilities and green space. An electric scooter manufacturer also plans to set up a factory on the 215 hectare grassland site, a disused airfield near Saltend chemical works.

Outline planning permission for the development, between Hull and the historic town of Hedon, was sought from East Riding of Yorkshire Council in 2017. However, “as part of the extensive bird survey work, it has been identified that species associated with the Humber Estuary international and national nature conservation area use the site, primarily curlew but also including golden plover and lapwing,” according to the development’s environmental impact assessment.