Opposition to the Peak Cluster carbon capture pipeline has been restated by Cheshire West and Chester councillors following a council vote last month rejecting the scheme's route through the borough.

The Peak Cluster carbon capture pipeline is a proposed carbon capture and storage scheme that would take carbon dioxide emissions from cement and lime plants in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

The carbon dioxide would then be transported through an underground pipeline of around 120–125 miles, passing through Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire and the Wirral. It would ultimately be stored in depleted gas reservoirs beneath the East Irish Sea near Morecambe Bay.

Aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions linked to climate change, the proposed scheme would capture emissions from four cement and lime producers in the Peak District.

Last month, a motion opposing the scheme's route was passed by Cheshire West and Chester Council at a meeting in Winsford. Councillors agreed to oppose plans for the pipeline to pass through communities in the borough.

The project has received millions of pounds in government funding but still requires final approval. As a nationally significant infrastructure project, councils do not have the power to approve or reject it, but can submit representations to the Planning Inspectorate, which examines the application before a final decision is made by the government.

On Thursday 14 May, local councillors from the Conservatives, Greens, Labour and Independents gathered to show support for the campaign against the Peak Cluster CO2 pipeline project.

A spokesperson for the Cheshire West and Chester Conservative group said: "Last night, cross-party, we came together to show our support for the campaign in opposition to this project which is not right for Cheshire and is causing massive concern in our communities.

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"We had hoped every 'party label' would be present, sadly not. But our position is clear."

Independent councillor Simon Boone, who represents Swanlow and Darnhall, said he opposed the project outright but criticised the council's objections as weak, arguing they focus more on process than the scheme itself.

He said: "The listed objections do come across more as attempts to slow this project down, rather than genuine reasons for stating why it cannot and should not go ahead."

He added that opposing the pipeline route while supporting carbon capture in principle risked undermining the council's position.

Last month, council leader Cllr Louise Gittins stated the plans, "as they are currently proposed", were not right for the borough.

She said over social media: "⁠Much more needs to be done to assess the environmental impact of this pipeline on our area.

"⁠Much more work needs to be done to listen to the concerns of local people, with more information shared and the opportunity for genuine consultation. We need to know more about what community benefits our residents would see from the pipeline impacting where they live."

The council leader also outlined plans to write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero to raise concerns.

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