Ghost Ships
Decisive vote in ships debate
THE boss of Able UK has called on councillors to "grasp the opportunity" and give its ship scrapping plans the green light on the eve of a crucial meeting to decide their fate.
In a strongly-worded statement, Peter Stephenson, chairman and chief executive of the Hartlepool company, also hit out at what he called the "antics of a few scaremongers".
Councillors on Hartlepool Borough Council's planning committee will today be recommended to approve three planning applications and a hazardous substances application from Able that will clear the way for the so-called "ghost ships" to be dismantled at its Graythorp yard.
On Tuesday, a small band of protestors demonstrated outside the Civic Centre, in Hartlepool, criticising a lack of public consultation.
Mr Stephenson said: "Those who still prefer posturing to a proper examination of the facts are doing nothing for either the local community or the safeguarding of the environment.
"The proposals being considered are not about the rights or wrong of a particular contract - they are about the potential to establish our facility and the Teesside area as a centre of excellence for the rapidly expanding marine recycling industry, creating much-needed employment and investment, providing the most environmentally acceptable means of dealing with the disposal of redundant shipping, and also developing new opportunities in the renewable energy field.
"The council's officers have examined all the issues raised during a very lengthy and comprehensive public consultation exercise, and also consulted with more than 20 different organisations, as well as key departments within the council itself.
"They have produced a comprehensive report for the planning committee, running to 177 pages, which addresses all of the points raised and, in recommending approval of our applications, have concluded that our proposals 'present a major opportunity for the council to demonstrate its green credentials by placing itself at the forefront of the Government's ship recycling agenda'.
"I hope the authority and the local community will be prepared to reject the antics of the few scaremongers and grasp that opportunity."
Geoff Lilley, a local councillor and ghost ships' opponent, backed the right to protest.
Councillor Lilley is a member of the planning committee, but after declaring a 'prejudicial personal interest' will not be able to vote.
He said: "I thank God that we live in a democracy where people have a right to protest in a peaceful and orderly manner."
Fifteen-minute slots are to be set aside for presentations to take place at the meeting, from Able, as well as protestors who have previously registered objections.
A spokesman for the council said: "The officers' recommendation is to accept, but the final decision rests with the planning committee.
"It is down to the individual members to vote how they see fit."
9:04am Thursday 12th October 2006
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