The Mayor of Hedon, Councillor John Dennis, has warned that the manufacturing facilities in Hull, planned by Siemens, could have a negative impact on the countryside.
Mr. Dennis has pointed out that he is not against the project itself, but that its impact in terms of emissions, noise and industrialization of the area has to be minimized.
“Generally speaking it is good news and I would hope that both Hedon and Paull get the benefit of youngsters getting apprenticeships and people getting jobs,” the Yorkshire Post quotes Mr. Dennis as saying.
Siemens recently announced its decision to invest EUR 190 million in wind turbine production and installation facilities in Yorkshire. The facilities will be located at two sites, one being the Green Port Hull at Alexandra Dock for offshore wind turbine assembly and export, and a new rotor blade manufacturing facility nearby Paull, in East Riding.
“We understand that as well as the blades – which are as long as a football field – for the turbines there’s a good chance they could make the towers there as well. There will be further development on an area twice as large east of Paull Road which will have further impacts on Hedon – adding to the flood risk and loss of identity,” Mr. Dennis said.
He added that his council is having meetings with the project planners, and that they will try to achieve the best possible result regarding this issue.
Offshore WIND Staff, April 4, 2014; Image: Siemens