Ghost Ships
Appeal pledge after ghost ships decision
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| Plans rejected: Two of the so-called ghost ships at Abel UK's yard in Hartlepool yesterday |
CONTROVERSIAL plans to dismantle and recycle redundant US Navy ships at a yard in the North-East were rejected by councillors yesterday.
But last night, the company behind the proposed project vowed to appeal against the decision - a move that could cost taxpayers up to £1m.
Able UK has spent almost three years putting together the plan to scrap the so-called Ghost Ships at its site on the outskirts of Hartlepool.
After being held up because of public consultation, and the need to provide assurances about environmental impact, the company's application was discussed yesterday.
But councillors in Hartlepool voted overwhelmingly to reject the plans - and the advice of senior officials - during a meeting lasting more than four hours.
Following the vote, Able UK's chairman Peter Stephenson blamed scaremongers and a propaganda campaign for sinking the deal.
But he said the company would be seeking a public inquiry and that he remained confident the project would win approval and be back on track within a year.
He said: "This is a shame, and a sad day for Hartlepool.
"We will clearly have to consider the issues very carefully after the outcome of today's meeting, but one thing is clear - we will be lodging an appeal."
Four former naval vessels are berthed at the Graythorp yard, after being towed from the US, even though Able did not have the necessary planning approval to carry out the scrapping contract.
The company hoped to bring 13 ships across the Atlantic after winning an £11m deal with US maritime officials, but strong local opposition based on environmental fears delayed the plans.
It remains to be seen what will happen with the four ships that are waiting to be scrapped, although Mr Stephenson is hoping Government intervention will allow the work to go ahead, which will lead to more than 200 jobs being created.
He said: "What should be remembered is that the council's own officers, as well bodies such as the Hartlepool Economic Forum, have stressed that this facility offers an opportunity to develop a world-class centre for an industry which is set to expand rapidly in the years ahead.
"We have the facilities, the skills and expertise to undertake this work and it is an industry which the UK Government has made clear it wants to see established in the UK."
The company had three planning applications considered yesterday as well as a bid to store hazardous substances, but each one was rejected.
Councillors were told by Hartlepool Borough Council's principal planning officer, Roy Mettitt, that the work could be carried out without harm to the environment.
He said: "It provides an opportunity for Hartlepool to be a leader in national ship recycling facilities."
The recommendation was only supported by Councillor Stan Kaiser, who said the project would have been approved without delay if the terms "toxic" and "ghost ships" had not been attached to it.
"If we had simply been talking about the demolition of ships I don't think anyone would have been the slightest bit interested, but because of those words, the thing has grown out of all proportion," he said.
Councillor Carl Richardson said allowing the application could open the floodgates for hundreds more ships with toxic waste to be brought to the site, and said tourism would be hit.
Councillor Edna Wright said the ill-health legacy of the town's shipbuilding and industrial past was still keenly felt, while Councillor Ged Hall added: "We want the jobs for Hartlepool, but not just at any price."
After the meeting, campaigner Iris Ryder said: "There has been no scaremongering, the facts are there for all to see. This has been long-awaited and is the right decision for the town, which now gives it the go-ahead to become a tourist destination rather than an international toxic tip."
6:00am Friday 13th October 2006
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