Representation by North East Lincolnshire Council (North East Lincolnshire Council )
- Date submitted
- 19 April 2023
- Submitted by
- Local authorities
North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) have been in discussions and negotiations with the applicant ABP from the start of the project and have provided comments on various aspects of the scheme through the Statutory Consultation process. These relevant representations found below follow on from previous comments made. NELC recognises the nature and form of the proposed development in the context of the Immingham Port Estate and the activities associated with the core function of the Port. Growth in the local area is under pinned by the Ports of Immingham and Grimsby. The proposed Ro-Ro project, along with its associated investment and job creation is, in principle, welcomed. Sections 1. Economy and Growth 2. Ecology 3. Highways 4. Landscape 5. Drainage 6. Environmental Health and Air Quality 7. Heritage 1. Economy and Growth The development presents a significant investment into the port of Immingham. This will in turn secure numerous jobs in direct association with the imports but also more indirect jobs through the servicing and maintenance of machinery and vehicles. This development also ties in closely with the recent announcement of Humber Freeport Status and add to the wider economic growth of the Humber Region. It is this growth that the NELLP is based upon and the principle of such development is therefore supported. 2. Ecology The submitted EIA has been reviewed and it is noted that the majority of the of the impacts of the development are within the Marine Environment. NELC are content with the findings and recommendations in regard to the terrestrial impacts of the development. The Marine and intertidal considerations of the development are led by Natural England and Marine Management Organisation and NELC welcome continued involvement in those discussions. 3. Highways The applicant has been working with the NELC Highways team for some time with particular regard to traffic generation and signage. The development will create a significant increase in HGV movements around the Port and the Highway Network. Detailed consideration of the impact of the development on the highway network is required. 4. Landscape There have been positive discussions between the applicant and NELC in regard to biodiversity enhancements in and around the southern section of the Long Strip Woodland. Such improvements are welcomed by NELC along with the continued management and maintenance of the woodland. 5. Drainage There have been positive discussions between the applicant and NELC and Lead Local Flood Authority and welcome the Protected Provisions for drainage with the development proposal. 6. Environmental Health NELC are particularly interested in any potential mitigation measure that may be required to ensure that an increase in HGV movements and subsequent pollutants is not seen along Kings Road, Manby Road and into Immingham town centre. The traffic routing proposal is noted along with the signage to direct HGV traffic but this needs to be appropriately secured and enforceable. 7. Heritage There has been a Heritage Assessment report produced for the terrestrial archaeology of the proposed Ro-Ro development. This has been considered and NELC concur with the conclusion in that the proposed development will not negatively impact on the surrounding landscape and any heritage assets contained within. A separate report, Chapter 15 Cultural Heritage and Marine Archaeology has considered the some of the impacts on sub-surface terrestrial archaeological potential, this has also deemed the archaeological potential to be negligible.