Plans to build a £210 million factory to manufacture wind farm machinery in Hull have been put on hold until next year.

The proposals for a joint project between Associated British Ports (ABP) and Siemens had been given the green light in May. ABP port director for Hull, Matt Jukes, said the planning process had led to a delay, and added that all parties were committed to the scheme.

The deal is still expected to go ahead early in 2013, although some reports have claimed that instability in the government's renewable energy policy was a factor in the delay on the part of Siemens.

Trade magazine Recharge said they had learned the delay was down to some minor planning issues, although "uncertainty over the timing of projects, in the context of the UK government's electricity market reform programme", was also a factor.

The proposed factory would employ 700 people, making turbines, blades and other parts for offshore wind farm projects. The facility itself will cost £80 million, while ABP is putting an estimated £130 million into infrastructure for the site.

Copyright Press Association 2012