Firm set for 'ghost ships' victory

Able UK was blocked from dismantling the rusting vessels by Hartlepool Council, amid environmental fears about the local area becoming a dumping ground for the world's shipping industry.

Green activists took up the battle, which began in July 2003 when the firm announced it had won a £11 million contract to break up 13 US ships.

There were protests and national headlines in November that year when four ageing vessels arrived, while nine more were held up in the US by red tape and environmental protests.

It began a series of planning wrangles involving organisations such as the RSPB, the Environment Agency, English Nature and Friends of the Earth.

The long-running planning disputes meant the four ships remained intact and in limbo.

But Hartlepool Council announced on Monday it would offer no evidence at forthcoming planning appeals raised by the British firm.

In October, councillors refused three applications by the firm for permission to develop its Graythorp site by the mouth of the River Tees, including provisions to build, repair, refurbish and decommission all types of ships.

The firm mounted an appeal, which will be heard by the Planning Inspectorate.

But the council announced a change in government policy, which favours ship breakers, meaning its continued objection to Able UK was futile, and would cost local tax-payers.