The Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage Project - The Planning Act 2008

The Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage Project Section 47 The Planning Act 2008
Notice publicising a Statement of Community Consultation in accordance with section 47(6) of the Planning Act 2008

Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage Limited (‘the Applicant’) is proposing to create a hydrogen storage facility - providing low carbon, safe and fexible energy to support the UK’s net-zero targets. The Project is a collaboration between Equinor and SSE Thermal.
The Project is located approximately 2km from Aldbrough Village, north-east of Hull, in the Holderness area of the East Riding of Yorkshire. The Project will be located next to the existing Aldbrough Gas Storage facility which is operated by SSE Thermal. 

The existing facility has stored natural gas in underground salt caverns since 2011.
The Project comprises the following elements:
•     Hydrogen storage infrastructure: up to nine subsurface caverns to be created in deep-underground salt formations to safely store the hydrogen.
•     Marine infrastructure: pipelines running below ground between the Hydrogen Storage Facility and the North Sea for the abstraction of sea water and return of brine.
•     Above ground surface facilities: including a central processing area, a wellhead and leaching area.

We, the Applicant, intend to apply to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero for a Development Consent Order (DCO), under Section 37 (Applications for orders granting development consent) of the Planning Act 2008 (the ‘PA 2008’) to authorise the construction of the scheme.

We have a duty to consult the local community about the Project under Section 47 of the PA 2008. Before making our application, Section 47(1) requires us to prepare a Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC), setting out how we will consult with people living in the vicinity of the land to which the proposals relate. Section 47(7) requires us to carry out the consultation in accordance with this statement, hosting six in-person events throughout the consultation period (17 June - 18 August 2024).

The scheme will require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and therefore we are publishing a Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) and Environmental Statement (ES) with the DCO application. This will assess the likely signifcant effects arising from the Project on the environment. There will be an opportunity to view and comment upon the PEIR during the consultation, and details of this are included in the SoCC.

Section 47(6) requires an applicant for development consent to make the SoCC available for inspection by the public in a way that is reasonably convenient for people living in the vicinity of the land to which the project relates. In accordance with Section 47(6) this notice confrms below when and how a copy of the SoCC can be inspected.

Full details of the consultation can be found in the SoCC which can be viewed free of charge online: www.aldbroughhydrogen.com.
As a result of the general election taking place on 4 July 2024, this is the second version of the SoCC, which has been amended to extend the consultation period, and to move the public information events to more suitable dates that do not confict with the general election.

If you are unable to access the Project website, you can view hard copies at:
•     Aldbrough Sports Hall, Recreation Field, Garton Rd,Aldbrough, HU11 4QA
•     Hornsea Community Hub, Broadway, Hornsea, HU18 1PZ
•     Beverley County Hall, Cross Street, Beverley, HU17 9BA
Alternatively, please contact Rachel Fox, our Engagement Manager at SSE Thermal to request a copy of the SoCC - this can also be provided in an alternative format, such as large print.
•     Freepost Aldbrough Hydrogen Storage
•     AHS@ERM.com
Should you have any questions about the SoCC, the consultation or the Project please visit the Project Website or contact the Applicant using the above details.