The Deep: Hull terminal plan 'won't be built at Sammy's Point'

Sammy's Point in Hull was initially announced as the preferred location for the proposed cruise terminal

Plans for a cruise terminal near Hull's giant aquarium The Deep have been scrapped by the council's new Liberal Democrat administration.

Sammy's Point was chosen in 2015 by the then Labour-run authority as the location for the riverside berth due to its proximity to the city centre.

The attraction opposed the plan, saying its marine life would be affected by noise, pollution and vibrations.

Labour leader Daren Hale described the cancellation as "ludicrous".

A decision not to build the proposed terminal at Sammy's Point follows discussions with local residents and official objections from the aquarium, a Lib Dem statement said.

Councillor Mike Ross, who took over from Labour's Daren Hale as Hull City Council leader after May's local elections, said the decision "will keep The Deep's future safe".

He added: "We're delighted to announce that this fundamentally unworkable cruise terminal plan will not be going ahead at Sammy's Point.

"We can see the merits of cruise, but actually it needs to be done right.

"It needs be done where it actually benefits the city, where it doesn't put at risk Hull's number one tourist attraction."

The Deep aquarium, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in March, has opposed a cruise terminal being built at Sammy's Point

A review of alternative locations for the terminal is expected to be published soon.

Mr Hale said the council-owned site next to The Deep had been the preferred option because it "would have basically fuelled further regeneration of our city centre".

He said the cost of developing other sites would "go through the roof" as the land would be privately-owned.

He added that he was"not prepared to have crocodile tears about The Deep", claiming the Lib Dems had opposed funding for the aquarium.

"The Deep is only here because of the Labour council," Mr Hale said.