The Leader of Staffordshire County Council is to call on the Government to ensure community voices in Staffordshire are heard “loud and clear” during consultation on the proposed Peak Cluster Pipeline.
If approved the Peak Cluster Project would capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from cement and lime plants in Derbyshire and Staffordshire and transfer it by pipeline to a storage facility under the Irish Sea, passing through parts of the Derbyshire, the Staffordshire Moorlands, Cheshire and the Wirral.
At a meeting of Staffordshire County Council’s Full Council, Su Beardmore, the county councillor for Churnet Valley put forward a motion expressing local residents concerns about the impact on their communities.
Martin Murray, Leader of the County Council, said:
It is clear that many people, not just in Staffordshire, but across other areas affected have huge concerns about this project, the impact it will bring and the potential safety risks which may come with it.
We agree the Peak Cluster pipeline presents a risk of significant negative impacts on Staffordshire’s environment, countryside, and agricultural sector.
This Council is sending out a strong message to Government that it is important that this council is involved at every step and, more importantly, that the voices of Staffordshire residents are heard loud and clear and that their concerns are listened to.”
As part of measures detailed in the motion the Leader will now write to the Government and the Promoter of the scheme on the issue. The motion was backed by members present and full details can be found here
The Peak Cluster developers say the carbon capture project would play a key role in reducing emissions while supporting jobs and economic growth.
Further consultation is due to take place in the Autumn. Staffordshire County Council has a statutory technical planning role only and the final decision lies with the Government. If approved, work is expected to start summer 2029, at the earliest.
