In order to begin rapid decarbonisation, we must work quickly to reduce harmful carbon emissions from local industry and to clean up air quality in the region using carbon capture and storage (CCS).
To achieve this, CO₂ emissions from hard-to-abate industry across the north west of England and north Wales will be transported safely to the carbon storage sites underneath Liverpool Bay.
To transport the CO₂ captured from industrial emitters across the region, three Spur Pipelines are required to connect these capture plants to the HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline (Main Onshore Pipeline).
The Protos (West AGI) Carbon Dioxide Spur Pipeline Proposed Development, connecting the Encyclis Protos Energy Recovery facility to the Ince Above Ground Installation (AGI).
The planning application for the Protos (West AGI) Spur Pipeline Proposed Development was submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWCC) in March 2025, and is currently being considered by the Council’s planning officers. You can view the application on the Council’s Public Access System by searching the reference: 25/00952/FUL
More information about the Protos (West AGI) Spur Pipeline is available here.
The Padeswood Carbon Dioxide Spur Pipeline Proposed Development, connecting the Heidelberg Materials UK Cement Plant at Padeswood to the Northop Hall AGI.
Following the statutory Pre-Application Consultation which took place between 26 March and 29 April 2025, the planning application has been submitted to Flintshire County Council. To view the proposals and share your comments directly with the Council, please access the Council’s Public Access website and use the reference (FUL/000526/25).
More information about the Padeswood Spur Pipeline is available here.
The Runcorn Carbon Dioxide Spur Pipeline Proposed Development, connecting the Viridor Energy from Waste facility to the Ince AGI.
Non- statutory Pre-Application Consultation for the Runcorn Spur Pipeline took place between 13 March and 10 April 2025. The team is now considering all feedback to finalise the plans and mitigation measures ahead of submitting a planning application to CWCC and Halton Borough Council (HBC) this summer.
The reference number for the application will be published once it has been received and published on the CWCC and HBC websites. Until then, more information about the Runcorn Spur Pipeline is available here.
More information about the Runcorn Spur Pipeline is available here.
Spur Pipelines Planning Process
To gain consent to build the three spur pipelines, LBCCS will prepare planning applications to be submitted under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).
There will be another opportunity to comment on the Runcorn and Padeswood Spur Pipeline Proposed Developments directly to the Councils once the applications have been submitted.
Timeline
Landowner engagement
Pre-application consultation
Submission of planning application to Local Council
Consideration, recommendation and decision by the Local Council
Construction
HyNet
The HyNet Carbon Dioxide Pipeline, is a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project which was granted a Development Consent Order (DCO) by the Secretary of Energy Security and Net Zero in March 2024.
HyNet North West
HyNet represents a collection of world-leading organisations coming together to build a game changing energy project. It aims to reduce carbon emissions from industry, and support growth in the north west of England and north Wales in the UK’s challenge to meet net zero carbon emissions.
Liverpool Bay CCS Limited will be the CO₂ transport and storage operator to serve the HyNet industrial cluster.
More information about HyNet North West is available at: hynet.co.uk.
The map below provides an overview of the HyNet North West infrastructure.
Click to enlarge