Peel plastics park gains momentum

A £7m facility to produce hydrogen from non-recyclable plastics is tipped for approval next week, as Peel Environmental progresses its wider Protos energy park at Ellesmere Port.

Peel Environmental, which is part of Peel L&P, submitted the application in September 2019 in partnership with Waste2Tricity, an energy provider specialising in converting waste into fuel.

The plant, which would occupy a 2.5-acre site, could produce up to two tonnes of hydrogen per day from 35 tonnes of plastic, the equivalent of 18,000 HGV miles, the developer says.

The plastics-to-hydrogen park would be made up of four main buildings: a 4,700 sq ft waste reception, 4,000 sq ft gasification building, a 2,100 sq ft storage and maintenance unit and a 440 sq ft amenity building.

Officers have recommended permission be granted for the project when Cheshire West and Chester’s planning committee meets next week.

Myles Kitcher, managing director at Peel Environmental, said: “Tackling plastic waste is a hugely important issue for society and for local authorities across the UK. This facility would be a UK first, utilising pioneering technology that will convert end-of-life plastics that could otherwise end up in landfill, into hydrogen.

“This is a huge opportunity for Cheshire to show how it’s leading the way on the energy and net zero agenda.”

Axis PED drew up plans for the project while RSK provided technical support.

Smith Brothers Contracting are on site at Protos building two 132-kilovolt substations under separate proposals, while Peel Environmental and Progressive Energy are set to start work this year on the £150m bio-substitute natural gas plant.

The 133-acre Protos scheme was granted outline approval in 2009.