Staffordshire County Council has pledged to ensure community voices are heard during Government consultation on the proposed Peak Cluster Pipeline.
The pipeline project would capture carbon dioxide from cement and lime plants in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, then transfer it by pipeline to a storage facility under the Irish Sea. The route would pass through parts of Derbyshire, the Staffordshire Moorlands, Cheshire and the Wirral.
Council Motion Raises Resident Concerns
Su Beardmore, county councillor for Churnet Valley, put forward a motion at Staffordshire County Council's Full Council meeting expressing local resident concerns about the project's impact on communities.
Martin Murray, Leader of the County Council, said: "It is clear that many people, not just in Staffordshire, but across other areas affected have huge concerns about this project, the impact it will bring and the potential safety risks which may come with it."
Murray added that the council agrees the Peak Cluster pipeline "presents a risk of significant negative impacts on Staffordshire's environment, countryside, and agricultural sector."
What Happens Next
As part of the motion, the Leader will write to the Government and the project promoter. The motion was backed by members present at the meeting.
The Peak Cluster developers say the carbon capture project would reduce emissions while supporting jobs and economic growth. Further consultation is due in autumn. Staffordshire County Council has a statutory technical planning role only—the final decision rests with the Government. If approved, work is expected to start summer 2029 at the earliest.