Hynet North West Hydrogen Pipeline Project - Notice Publicising A Proposed Application For A Development Consent Order

Cadent Gas Limited (Cadent) - HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline
SECTION 47 AND SECTION 48 PLANNING ACT 2008
REGULATION 4 INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING (APPLICATIONS: PRESCRIBED FORMS AND PROCEDURE) REGULATIONS 2017
REGULATION 13 INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT) REGULATIONS 2017
HYNET NORTH WEST HYDROGEN PIPELINE PROJECT (THE “PROJECT”)
NOTICE OF PUBLICATION OF STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION (“SOCC”)
NOTICE PUBLICISING A PROPOSED APPLICATION FOR A DEVELOPMENT CONSENT ORDER (“DCO”)

Notice is hereby given that Cadent Gas Limited (Cadent) (the “Applicant”) of Pilot Way, Ansty CV7 9JU intends to make an application to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero under Section 37 (applications for orders granting development consent) of the Planning Act 2008 for development consent (the “Application”).

The Project
The Applicant is the UK’s largest regional gas distributor is currently developing a number of projects to support the decarbonisation of industry and power generation in our regions through the use of hydrogen. 
The Project is the frst of these located in the North West industrial heartland of the UK which will support retaining industry and jobs in the region as well as the UK reaching our Net Zero ambitions.
The Applicant intends to make an application to the Secretary of State for a DCO for the Project. 
The Project includes the construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of approximately 100km of new pipeline to distribute hydrogen to industry in the North West. A number of Hydrogen Above Ground Installations (HAGIs), including Block Valve Installations (BVIs) are required to control the fow and pressure of hydrogen at key points along the proposed pipeline.
The Project connects the Hydrogen Production Plant (HPP) at the Stanlow site, as the source of low carbon hydrogen, for onward distribution to the network. The pipeline transports the low carbon hydrogen to the Central Hub at the centre of the network, which then serves as the distribution point to the North, East and South pipeline Corridors, which would extend to St. Helens, Partington and Northwich respectively. Branching off from each main pipeline corridor would be smaller pipelines called spurs which connect regional industry to the main pipeline. On the eastern pipeline corridor, alongside industrial connections, infrastructure has also been included which in the future would support the potential for blending low levels of hydrogen into the existing natural gas network, pending a government policy decision. 
The Project would also link to underground hydrogen storage facilities in Cheshire used to balance supply and demand through the network.
The Project’s main components are:
•     The construction, operation and maintenance of approximately 100 kilometres of new pipeline to distribute hydrogen;
•     Smaller pipelines (spurs) branching off from the main pipeline route to provide connections to specifc industrial users in the region, identifed as part of the Project;
•     Nine Hydrogen Above Ground Installations (HAGIs) and two Block Valve Installations (BVIs) required to control the fow and pressure of hydrogen at key points along the proposed pipeline;
•     Measures for avoiding, minimising and/or mitigating adverse environmental effects likely to arise in connection with the construction and operation of the Project;
•     Other related works, for example, temporary access roads, highway works, temporary works compounds, work sites and ancillary works; and
•     Compulsory acquisition of land, including interests in land, rights over land and imposition of restrictions, powers to override, suspend or extinguish rights over land and powers for the temporary use of land.
In a small number of locations options have been identifed for the routeing of the pipeline and for the location of two HAGIs.

The Project is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) development as defned in the Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. Consequently, the Applicant will submit an Environmental Statement as part of the Application. A Draft Environmental Statement forms part of the consultation material. This will assess the likely signifcant effects arising from the Project on the environment. Consultation on the proposals will take place from 14th October 2024 to 23:59 on 19th November 2024. Statement of Community Consultation

The Applicant has a duty to consult the local community about the Project under Section 47 of the Planning Act 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 to the land to which the proposals relate. Section 47(7) requires us to carry out the consultation in accordance with this statement and so full details of the consultation will be provided 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.

The SoCC will be available on our project website (www.hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk) from 14th October 2024 and at the below reference locations in the project area from 14th October 2024 to 23:59 on 19th November 2024.

The reference locations provided have been the subject of consultation with relevant local planning authorities.

If you are unable to access the website, please contact the community relations team on 0800 860 6261 or via email to: info@hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk and a hard copy of the SoCC can be provided free of charge.

(Please check opening times before visiting).
*Northwich Library has temporarily opened at Weaver Hall Museum, while the library building on Witton Street is being renovated.

Consultation

Consultation on the proposals will take place from 14th October 2024 to 23:59 on 19th November 2024.
Consultation events will be held at the following venues and online during the consultation period.    

Registration for the online events is available on the Applicant’s website at www.hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk

Copies of the consultation materials including documents, plans and maps showing the nature and location of the Project will be available to view or download free of charge from 14th October 2024 until 23.59 on 19th November 2024 on the Applicant’s website: www.hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk/ our-current-proposals/ knowledge-hub/.

Alternatively, copies of the consultation documents may be obtained by calling our community relations team on 0800 860 6261 or by emailing info@hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk following the launch of consultation and may be requested as an electronic or paper copy. A reasonable copying charge will apply for paper copies of the Draft Environmental Statement (up to a maximum of £150 for the full suite of documents).

An electronic copy will be free of charge.

Paper copies of the consultation brochure and Environmental Statement Non-Technical Summary can be viewed at various reference locations in the project locality from the 14th October 2024. A full list of reference locations can be found above in the table of reference locations and on the Applicant’s website: www.hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk/our-current-proposals/knowledge-hub/.

The Applicant can be contacted for enquiries in relation to any of the above on 0800 860 6261 or by email to: info@hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk.

The consultation will run from 14th October 2024 to 23:59 on 19th November 2024.

There are several ways to submit responses:

Feedback form
Available on the project website (www.hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk), at deposit locations or by request from the community relations team

By email
info@hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk

In writing
FREEPOST HYNET NWHP (Please be advised it is not possible to send registered post to a freepost address) When providing your response, please include your name and address or, if you would prefer your comments to be anonymous, your postcode only. Please also confrm the nature of your interest in the scheme.

Any responses to, or other representations in respect of, the Project should be received by 23:59 
on 19th November 2024. Responses received after this time may not be considered.

Cadent Gas Limited will consider and have regard to all responses when developing the application for a DCO once consultation has closed. Responses will form the basis of a Consultation Report that will be one of the factors taken into consideration by the Secretary of State when deciding whether the Application can be accepted for examination. In providing any comment, it should be known the substance of it may be communicated to others as part of the Consultation Report. Any details you provide to us will be subject to our privacy policy notice on the Project website at www.hynethydrogenpipeline.co.uk/privacy.

If you would like further information about this notice, the consultation or the Project, please contact the Project team by using one of the contact methods provided above.
Cadent Gas Limited