Flintshire approves carbon capture project
In a meeting that saw consideration of 276 homes, a supermarket and redevelopment of Tiger Tim’s distribution site deferred, the scheme at Parc Adfer was given the go-ahead.
Applicant Enfinium put forward a full planning application for the construction and operation of a post-combustion carbon capture plant, along with associated works, at the existing Parc Adfer energy recovery facility off Weighbridge Road on Deeside Industrial Park.
Savills and LDA Design are advising. The project would add a 21,600 sq ft plant to the Parc Adfer site.
As set out in the officer report, the purpose of the development is to capture carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases currently released from the existing ERF. The plant would allow for the separation of CO2 from the other exhaust gases, and then the compressing of the captured CO2 so it can be transported off the site by pipeline.
The CO2 would ultimately be transported by pipelines to a deep geological storage location offshore. This facility would provide secure long-term carbon capture, thus removing CO2 emissions that are currently emitted from the site into the atmosphere.
In short, this is a project that can contribute significantly to Wales’ statutory decarbonisation targets, along with the aims of Net Zero Wales.
A decision was deferred at the October planning committee, to allow consultation with Natural England, Cheshire West and Chester Council and other bodies.
The officer recommendation, which was followed near-unanimously with one abstention, was to approve, delegating authority to the chief officer; place and growth to finalise the heads of terms and detailed wording of a Section 106 legal agreement, covering issues including the location and full details of the off-site Net Benefit for Biodiversity habitat creation/enhancement scheme; long-term management and monitoring arrangements for a minimum of 30 years; and a mechanism for review and remediation in the event of management objectives not being met.
Around 50 objections were registered. Officers recorded that more than half object to the principle of carbon capture and storage and the wider HyNet project, or the Peak Cluster Carbon Capture Project, while “many also object to the existence, or emissions from the existing Energy Recovery Facility and the use of fossil fuels”.
The reference number on the Flintshire planning portal is FUL/000916/25.
