Able Marine Energy Park: Court rules in favour of turbine factory

Able UK was given permission to build the £450m factory in December 2013

An attempt to stop the construction of a £450m wind turbine factory has been rejected by the High Court.

Associated British Ports (ABP) applied for a judicial review of the planning approval for Able UK's Marine Energy Park near Immingham.

ABP, which claimed the compulsory purchase of some of its land would prevent it developing its own facilities, said it was "disappointed".

Able's executive chairman said ABP should "recognise the game is up".

Peter Stephenson said: "Their claims surrounding the so-called Killingholme Triangle, the small area of land which is needed for AMEP, have now been rejected by the hugely detailed and lengthy planning process, overseen by senior planning inspectors, a Government Minister, a Joint Parliamentary Committee and now by the High Court."

An ABP spokeswoman said: "We are naturally disappointed at this decision by the court. We will carefully consider the reasons given before commenting further."

The energy park, which it is claimed will create more than 4,000 jobs, had been approved by planning inspectors, transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin and a joint committee of MPs.