Industrial decarbonization initiative Peak Cluster has formally requested access to council-owned land from Wirral Council to conduct essential survey works for its proposed £5 billion carbon capture and storage (CCS) pipeline network.
The £5 billion infrastructure scheme is designed to collect carbon dioxide emissions from major cement and lime production facilities across Derbyshire and Staffordshire, transporting the captured gas via an underground pipeline network across the Wirral Peninsula for permanent offshore storage beneath the Irish Sea.
Due to significant public opposition and regional sensitivity surrounding the pipeline route, council officers have referred the land access decision directly to elected members of the Policy and Resources Committee to maximize transparency.
The council previously expressed unanimous opposition to the proposed scheme during an extraordinary meeting in March, where local residents and environmental protesters gathered to raise safety and environmental concerns.
Statutory Powers Allow Peak Cluster To Seek Court Warrants For Access
Despite the upcoming council vote, an official committee report clarifies that a negative vote by elected members will not completely block Peak Cluster from accessing the required land parcels.
Under existing UK national infrastructure legislation, Peak Cluster possesses statutory powers authorizing its staff and contractors to access land for preliminary survey work.
Relevant: UK Backs $80M Peak Cluster Carbon Pipeline
If Wirral Council rejects the land access request or attempts to impede survey operations, Peak Cluster retains the legal right to apply for a magistrates’ court warrant to enforce entry.
The Policy and Resources Committee will formally vote on whether to grant voluntary access or compel Peak Cluster to pursue legal enforcement measures during its upcoming session.
Read more: Wirral Council Urges UK Government to Scrap Peak Cluster CO2 Pipeline
