Shorebirds in peril? Uncertain fate for many species if four giant turbines are installed on edge of Humber Estuary

Grimsby's dock tower likely to be dwarfed by the turbines which would be visible from Spurn on north bank of Humber

AGENTS for ports company ABP insist "mitigation measures will be adopted to avoid or minimise adverse impacts" on birds if the company gets the planning green light to install four onshore wind turbines on the docks in Grimsby.

The location is ecologically sensitive because of its  proximity to globally important populations of thousands of wading birds which feed and roost on the adjacent Humber Estuary mudflats.

If approved, the turbines would stand up up to 150 metres high, dwarfing the town's Grade I Listed dock tower (90 metres).

ABP is keen to proceed with the project both to control electricity costs and as part of ongoing decarbonisation initiatives.

Its agents, Green Cat Renewables, say: "The company will continue to invest in additional solar  generation at the ports, but onshore wind will make a much more significant contribution to decarbonisation and cost control given its ability to generate 24 hours per day and typically more power in winter than summer. 

"ABP expects this will help secure the viability of the ports for the long term and provide an attractive place for business for existing and new customers, thereby helping to safeguard existing, and hopefully lead to more, local employment at the ports."

It is likely to be many months before any formal planning application is submitted to North East Lincolnshire, but, in the meantime, opinion is being sought from a range of consultees including Natural England.                                 

Curlews are wary birds and risk being displaced by the wind turbines