BY Sam Walker | Wednesday 10 April 2024
In 2021, Hull City Council welcomed the news that sites to the east of the city were included in the first wave of UK Freeports.
The Humber Freeport company was established in 2023 with a focus on driving investment into the Freeport.
The Freeport includes 600 hectares of land designated as tax sites, of which 200 hectares are located within the Hull East tax site.
Hull East includes Strategic industrial sites such as Alexandra Dock and the Yorkshire Energy Park on the council-owned former Hedon Airfield.
The Freeport will enable further investment from the rapidly expanding renewables and low-carbon sectors, adding to the city’s already-strong green credentials and the council’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions.
Freeports offer considerable advantages to investors which has led to significant investment in high quality employment, such as Siemens Gamesa.
Continued growth in research and development, along with Hull’s strengths in advanced manufacturing, trade, logistics and the green economy, is helping the city exceed regional performance with GVA reaching £30,000 per head of population.
Hull’s location sees it benefitting from some of the country’s best international connections, building on its trade and visitor access to Europe.
Investments across transport and road systems will provide more choices, improving travel times and air quality as well as promoting active sustainable travel plans.
Alex Codd, assistant director of economic development and regeneration at the council, said: “Hull puts its green city and business credentials into practice by being a leader in the cultivation of a highly productive, globally connected, circular economy that promotes social equity.
"We are building on the wide range of partnerships that exist across the city helping to deliver on the commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030.
"Our strategy seeks to deliver an inclusive economy built on sustainable economic principles.
"Renewal is not just about the built environment, but must include social change, inclusion and health improvements and with 99 per cent of Siemens Gamesa’s workforce lightning within 30 minutes of the site, these are clearly benefitting the local community and economy.
"We are aiming higher in terms of knowledge and quality of jobs and business competitiveness, and also deeper in terms of long-term societal benefits.”
