WARRINGTON Council is lodging a strong objection to a major pipeline project said to be essential to the UK’s net zero by 2050 target.
The borough council’s objection is to the Cadent Gas Hynet North West Hydrogen Pipeline as it affects Warrington.
Large areas of the borough would be affected by the project including Penketh, Cuerdley, Lymm, Thelwall, Appleton, Thelwall, Bewsey, Whitecross and Latchford, according to council planners.
The project would be the UK’s first 100 per cent hydrogen pipeline network at scale.
More than 500 people responded to a consultation carried out by Cadent and in September the company said they and the borough council were committed to working together and were confident the project could be routed and sited so sites allocated for development would not be compromised.
But council planners say since then there has been no meaningful discussion between the council and Cadent.
The council says it has no alternative but to object.
In particular, the council is concerned about the impact of the pipeline project on the Warrington Waterfront and Fiddler’s Ferry schemes which between them aim to provide more than 3,000 homes in addition to employment sites. The loss of this proposed residential development, together with the need for additional employment land would mean more Green Belt land would have to be released.
The Hynet proposals also have no consideration for the Appleton Thorn Neighbourhood Plan and implications for the Warrington Western Link scheme and its future construction which would reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the town centre.
The council says it recognises the benefits of delivery of hydrogen by pipeline to multiple industrial users but strongly objects to the scheme because it would impact on the council’s ability to deliver the quantum developments identified in the local plan, which is at an advanced stage.
