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SHIPS PLANS: The Able UK yard at Hartlepool

A PUBLIC inquiry's decision over whether a council was right to refuse planning permission for work to scrap so-called ghost ships will be revealed after next month's local elections.

The Planning Inspectorate confirmed yesterday that no decision would be announced over the ships, which are moored in Hartlepool, before the elections.

Last night, environmental campaigners criticised the move and said the decision should have been made available to electors before they went to the polls.

Able UK sparked a two-week public inquiry after it appealed against Hartlepool Borough Council's decision to refuse planning permission to develop the company's Graythorp yard to dismantle rusting ships.

Councillors later controversially reversed their decision, despite the inquiry having already started, allowing Able to go ahead with the work required, including building a large dry dock.

Peter Tweddle, of the local branch of the Friends of the Earth, said: "It seems to me that the result of this inquiry can only be bad news for the local council, which is why it is being held back.

"People should be aware of the inspector's findings so that they can cast their vote accordingly.

"I suspect that the conclusions are not going to suit the people of Hartlepool."

As well as a decision from the Planning Inspectorate, which had been expected this month, a ruling will also be made at some time over whether the council should pay the firm's costs, which could be more than £1m.

Hartlepool Borough Council, which did not contest the Able appeal, declined to comment.

No one at Able UK was available for comment.

■ A 28-day public consultation began on Friday on an application by Able to secure a waste management licence from the Environment Agency for the dismantling work.

9:14am Tuesday 15th April 2008

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