MoreThanWaste.com - Ghost ships laid to rest (29/10/2007)

"The Planning Committee reached its decisions following very thorough consideration of many highly complicated issues, including the impact on the environment and the implications for employment"

Councillor Dr George Morris, Acting Chair of the Planning Committee

Hartlepool, Teesside, UK: The saga of the ghost ships which has hit the headlines over the last few years, is reaching a conclusion as Hartlepool Council approves all four new applications from Able UK relating to the development of its Graythorp site on the outskirts of Hartlepool.

A meeting of the Council's Planning Committee last Thursday unanimously approved the three planning applications, and voted 6-4 to grant a Hazardous Substances Consent.

Earlier rejection

Over 4 years ago Able UK reached an agreement with the US Marine Administration to accept 13 redundant war ships for dismantling. In November 2003 the first of the so called “Ghost Ships” arrived at Graythorp, Hartlepool.

There was considerable objection locally at the time with some, what proved to be exaggerated claims as to the toxicity of the contents of the ships.

Following assessment by the Environment Agency and Hartlepool planning officers, the latter put the applications forward for committee approval subject to conditions. However the Planning Committee went against officers advice and overwhelmingly rejected the proposals in October last year.

At that time the Planning Committee rejected three planning applications from Able. The main planning application covered a range of proposals to develop the site, including construction, repair, refurbishment and decommissioning of all types of ships, vessels and other craft, and the manufacture of wind turbines.

Councillors refused this earlier application on a number of grounds including concerns about the effect on the environment, tourism, people's health and wildlife habitats. The two other applications - relating to alternative options for the installation of a cofferdam - were also rejected.

Ships lost to Able

In March this year a spokesman for the US Marine Administration, speaking on Radio Cleveland, said that the Ghost Ships currently docked near Hartlepool, were still in US ownership. The US seemed to be running out of patience and it was suggested that they might ask for the four ships to be returned.

At the end of May it was announced that the US had pulled out of the contract for the 9 ships still remaining in US waters due to “accounting” issues, i.e. the money allocated to the project had to be spent by September or it would be lost. Able agreed to relinquish the 9 ships but were given extended time to deal with the 4 ships at Hartlepool.

Appeal

An appeal was lodged by Able which Hartlepool decided not to contest, in part thought to be because of a reported potential cost of around £1 million to the Council for the appeal as well as new Government advice on ship dismantling becoming available.

However, Able submitted the current new applications to the council.

The current consents granted

The planning consents provided to Able are wide ranging and cover:

Extending the current use of the site to include the construction, repair, refurbishment and decommissioning of all types of ships, vessels and other craft, and for the manufacture of wind turbines.
A variety of other works including the construction and refurbishment of quays, the construction of a cofferdam and new dock gates, the installation of a railway track, construction and operation of metal recycling facilities and the erection of industrial and warehouse buildings.
Two alternative options for the installation of a cofferdam.

The approval is subject to the activities at the Graythorp site being monitored 365 days a year by an independent monitor appointed by the Council.

Councillor Dr George Morris, Acting Chair of the Planning Committee, said:

"The Planning Committee reached its decisions following very thorough consideration of many highly complicated issues, including the impact on the environment and the implications for employment.

"We recognise that the applications raised a wide range of issues but the Planning Committee had to focus only on those aspects which national planning legislation and guidance stipulate as being relevant.

"Having consulted with a wide range of parties we have eventually concluded that permission should be granted, but with a range of stringent conditions including daily independent monitoring of the activities at Able UK's Graythorp site."


	Ghost ships laid to rest (29/10/2007) "The Planning Committee reached its decisions following very thorough consideration of many highly complicated issues, including the impact on the environment and the implications for employment" Councillor Dr George Morris, Acting Chair of the Planning Committee Hartlepool, Teesside, UK: The saga of the ghost ships which has hit the headlines over the last few years, is reaching a conclusion as Hartlepool Council approves all four new applications from Able UK relating to the development of its Graythorp site on the outskirts of Hartlepool. A meeting of the Council's Planning Committee last Thursday unanimously approved the three planning applications, and voted 6-4 to grant a Hazardous Substances Consent. Earlier rejection Over 4 years ago Able UK reached an agreement with the US Marine Administration to accept 13 redundant war ships for dismantling. In November 2003 the first of the so called “Ghost Ships” arrived at Graythorp, Hartlepool. There was considerable objection locally at the time with some, what proved to be exaggerated claims as to the toxicity of the contents of the ships. Following assessment by the Environment Agency and Hartlepool planning officers, the latter put the applications forward for committee approval subject to conditions. However the Planning Committee went against officers advice and overwhelmingly rejected the proposals in October last year. At that time the Planning Committee rejected three planning applications from Able. The main planning application covered a range of proposals to develop the site, including construction, repair, refurbishment and decommissioning of all types of ships, vessels and other craft, and the manufacture of wind turbines. Councillors refused this earlier application on a number of grounds including concerns about the effect on the environment, tourism, people's health and wildlife habitats. The two other applications - relating to alternative options for the installation of a cofferdam - were also rejected. Ships lost to Able In March this year a spokesman for the US Marine Administration, speaking on Radio Cleveland, said that the Ghost Ships currently docked near Hartlepool, were still in US ownership. The US seemed to be running out of patience and it was suggested that they might ask for the four ships to be returned. At the end of May it was announced that the US had pulled out of the contract for the 9 ships still remaining in US waters due to “accounting” issues, i.e. the money allocated to the project had to be spent by September or it would be lost. Able agreed to relinquish the 9 ships but were given extended time to deal with the 4 ships at Hartlepool. Appeal An appeal was lodged by Able which Hartlepool decided not to contest, in part thought to be because of a reported potential cost of around £1 million to the Council for the appeal as well as new Government advice on ship dismantling becoming available. However, Able submitted the current new applications to the council. The current consents granted The planning consents provided to Able are wide ranging and cover: Extending the current use of the site to include the construction, repair, refurbishment and decommissioning of all types of ships, vessels and other craft, and for the manufacture of wind turbines. A variety of other works including the construction and refurbishment of quays, the construction of a cofferdam and new dock gates, the installation of a railway track, construction and operation of metal recycling facilities and the erection of industrial and warehouse buildings. Two alternative options for the installation of a cofferdam. The approval is subject to the activities at the Graythorp site being monitored 365 days a year by an independent monitor appointed by the Council. Councillor Dr George Morris, Acting Chair of the Planning Committee, said: "The Planning Committee reached its decisions following very thorough consideration of many highly complicated issues, including the impact on the environment and the implications for employment. "We recognise that the applications raised a wide range of issues but the Planning Committee had to focus only on those aspects which national planning legislation and guidance stipulate as being relevant. "Having consulted with a wide range of parties we have eventually concluded that permission should be granted, but with a range of stringent conditions including daily independent monitoring of the activities at Able UK's Graythorp site."