Carbon dioxide pipeline approved in North Wales

A critical piece of HyNet infrastructure linking up Heidelberg Materials’ net zero cement factory with carbon storage facilities in the Liverpool Bay was one of three projects greenlit at Flintshire County Council’s latest planning committee meeting.

Carbon dioxide pipeline

• Application reference number: FUL/000526/25

The approved carbon dioxide spur pipeline will be 11 kilometres long, extending from Padeswood to Northop Hall, where the carbon dioxide travelling down the pipeline will be brought into the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline and eventually make its way to depleted gas fields in Liverpool Bay where it will be securely stored.

Liverpool Bay CCS, part of the Eni SpA group, was the applicant behind the proposal, with WSP advising.

Armed with planning approval, work on the pipeline and its associated infrastructure could begin next year.

The pipeline is a crucial part of Heidelberg’s strategy to produce net zero cement, known as EvoZero. To reach net zero, the company captures 95% of the carbon dioxide released in the cement-making process and ships it off to the Liverpool Bay CCS facility. Heidelberg estimates that its Padeswood plant could capture 800,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

The Heidelberg facility itself received the go-ahead from central government last month.

Ysgol Cornist Park

• Application reference: FUL/000403/25

Flintshire County Council approved the expansion of Ysgol Cornist Park, a primary school in Flint, to include a nursery for children between two and three years of age.

The 1,647 sq ft standalone building includes an outdoor play area and was designed by Hughes:O’Hanlon Architects. Wynne Construction submitted the application to the county council and is lined up to deliver the school building.

The school will be able to hold 40 early year places.

Former Queensferry Hotel site

• Application reference number OUT/000930/23

Flintshire County Council voted to approve the transformation of the former public house into 36 apartments.

The Queensferry Hotel site, which is currently vacant, sits at 2 Welsh Road in Garden City and adjacent to the grade two-listed Jubilee Bridge.

Plans submitted by Peacock Building Services would demolish the former pub, replacing it with21 one-bed flats and 15 with two bedrooms. Of the proposed 36 apartments, seven would designated as affordable. Designs by Berrys, also include 56 car parking spaces and an additional five spaces for visitors to park.