PROPOSALS to create 700 jobs on city council-owned land in the East Riding has sparked a row between councillors.
Limited details of the initiative were recently announced by city council leader Steve Brady during a full meeting of the authority.
Without identifying a specific site, he claimed the development involving an as-yet unnamed renewable energy company could create around 700 jobs.
Since then, the proposed site has been unofficially identified as the former Hedon aerodrome site that lies between the city boundary and Hedon.
Now, East Riding councillors who represent the area have criticised their Hull counterparts over their handling of the issue.
Councillor Mike Bryan, who represents South West Holderness, said: "There is a way of going about these things and I feel Hull City Council have got it completely wrong.
"Very strong emotional feelings have been shown in the past to protect the green belt in this area between Hedon and Hull, so why has no consideration been given to consulting with Hedon Town Council, Preston Parish Council or East Riding Council ward members?
"I am very angry and suspect residents will share my concerns.
"I question the professionalism of this proposal."
Councillor Brian Skow, who represents Mid Holderness, said: "All residents in the Holderness area are very concerned about projects which may cause future flooding and, obviously, if a large grassed area is replaced with concrete, this would add to flooding risks.
"These cloak-and-dagger tactics are totally unacceptable.
Hull City Council is keeping concerned residents and East Riding Holderness ward councillors in the dark when surely working together would be of benefit to all parties."
But Councillor Phil Webster, Hull's cabinet member for finance, said initial information about the proposal had been shared with senior officials at East Riding Council.
He claimed a commercial confidentiality agreement with the firm meant only limited details could be made public at the moment.
He said: "More details will be announced when the company is ready to submit a planning application. I think these councillors are putting the cart before the horse and panicking a bit unnecessarily.
"For all they know, it could be something which actually benefits their local communities.
"There is no point opposing something before you actually know what it is you might be opposing."
It is believed the proposed development includes a biomass power station capable of providing heat and water to run large-scale hydroponics and fish-farming operations at the site.
Talks between the UK-based company and the city council have been going on for several months.
The former aerodrome site is best known for being the arrival point for Hull-born aviator Amy Johnson on her triumphant homecoming following the record-breaking solo flight to Australia in 1930.
Last December, the city council said it was looking at the option of selling the land it owned between the city boundary and Hedon for new housing development.
The old aerodrome site was previously earmarked by the city council for a new park-and-ride bus facility similar to the existing operation at Priory Park in west Hull.
Although a planning application was drawn up for the park-and-ride scheme, it was withdrawn before it could be considered by East Riding councillors amid concerns over the loss of greenbelt land between the city and the town.
Since then, the site has remained largely undeveloped.
• Gallery: Archive pictures of Hedon aerodrome
