PLANNING rules are set to be relaxed to pave the way for a major expansion of the port of Hull.
As first revealed by the Mail, a 200-acre site between Saltend and Paull next to the Humber estuary has been earmarked for redevelopment as part of the Green Port Hull project.
The land is expected to be used by firms supplying key parts to the offshore wind turbines due to be built by German engineering giant Siemens at a proposed new assembly plant at Alexandra Dock in east Hull.
A final decision on that investment is expected to be made by Siemens early next year.
If confirmed, the factory will create about 800 jobs.
Now, East Riding Council's cabinet has agreed to approve a draft order, which removes the need for a planing application to be made to develop the site between Saltend and Paull.
Instead, a Local Development Order (LDO) confirmed by the council will give outline approval to convert what is currently predominantly arable land into industrial use related to the renewable energy sector.
Alan Menzies, East Riding Council's director of planning and economic development, said: "The Government has been clear that the main benefit is that the LDO effectively exempts certain development from the need to apply for planning permission.
"The developer can then proceed without the time and cost implications of having to submit a planning application.
"This provides certainty to the developers by defining up front what development is acceptable to the local authority and what the parameters of development are."
Mr Menzies said public consultation on the draft order would start later this month.
At the same time, consultants have been hired to produce an assessment of the likely environmental impact.
