Cement maker Heidelberg Supplies UK has secured planning permission for its Padeswood carbon seize and storage (CCS) venture in North Wales – mentioned to be the primary carbon seize enabled cement works within the UK – in what appears a landmark venture for the cement trade. Environmental options agency RSK, which supported the bid, affords additional element
Planning permission was obtained from the Welsh Authorities on 4 April 2025 – 5 months forward of schedule.
Padeswood carbon seize and storage venture, which is able to connect with the HyNet North West venture, goals to be the primary web zero cement facility within the UK and a worldwide exemplar for the deployment of carbon seize expertise at an current cement works web site. As soon as operational, it’s going to seize and retailer roughly 800,000 tonnes of CO2 every year, capturing as much as 95% of CO2 emissions from the prevailing Padeswood cement kiln.
RSK Surroundings Principal Environmental Advisor Harry Cross mentioned the venture is the furthest superior carbon seize venture at an operational cement works within the UK by a long way.
He mentioned: “We’re proud to have achieved planning permission for this necessary and rewarding venture that demonstrates the UK main the way in which on deploying CCS within the cement trade.
“Our work right here noticed RSK Surroundings appearing as setting, consents and allowing lead, together with coordinating the environmental affect evaluation (EIA) and venture managing the event of nationwide significance (DNS) utility. We had been additionally in a position to attract on the talents and expertise of 12 extra RSK Group companies, together with Joanna Berlyn from Stephenson Halliday as planning lead and Copper Consultancy as communications lead for the programme of group engagement and session.”
It’s estimated that the venture will create as much as 500 extra jobs throughout the development section and also will create round 50 direct, long-term operational employment alternatives. The venture additionally proposes the creation of 4 new ponds, 9 hibernacula and 17 refugia (locations the place amphibians can relaxation throughout the day and escape from predators and the solar and, in winter, the place they’ll hibernate). It’s envisaged that the planting of blended deciduous woodland and the enhancement of grassland will cowl an space of round 10.13 ha and can enhance its worth for nice crested newt (Triturus cristatus) foraging and supply wider biodiversity advantages for different protected species.
Cross mentioned the venture is a powerful instance of how RSK can draw on its broad vary of multidisciplinary expertise to attain a significant infrastructure planning utility. The mixed RSK crew compiled and submitted greater than 100 paperwork as a part of its contribution to the planning submission. The 13 companies concerned within the DNS utility had been:
- RSK Surroundings (EIA coordination, geographic info system and allowing)
- Stephenson Halliday (planning and panorama & visible)
- ADAS Land (land referencing)
- Copper Consultancy (communications and public affairs)
- Nature Constructive (local weather)
- RSK Acoustics (noise and vibration)
- RSK Biocensus (biodiversity)
- RSK Air High quality (air high quality)
- RSK ADAS (arboriculture and soils)
- RSK Geosciences (land and soils, materials belongings and waste)
- RSK Land and Growth Engineering (water)
- Headland Archaeology (cultural heritage)
- SCP Transport (site visitors and transport)
He mentioned that all through the programme, RSK Surroundings labored intently with the venture entrance finish engineering design (FEED) crew, advising on design necessities for planning.
RSK Surroundings collaborated with different RSK Group companies to organize and submit the EIA scoping report in late 2022. A scoping route from Planning and Surroundings Selections Wales (PEDW) was obtained in April 2023.
He mentioned: “Our collaboration continued because the EIA advanced and work on the environmental assertion started in 2023 by means of to 2024. 9 environmental issue assessments had been undertaken, together with panorama and visible, biodiversity, local weather and noise and vibration, to grasp the affect of the venture on the setting and suggest mitigation and enhancements to offset the impacts. Findings had been reported within the environmental assertion.
“Alongside this, Copper Consultancy coordinated a programme of group engagement and session and organised two pre-consultation occasions in 2022, an extra three on-line and 6 non-statutory and statutory pre-application session occasions at native venues in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The planning utility was submitted on 27 September 2024.”
Heidelberg Supplies UK Chief Govt Officer Simon Willis mentioned: “That is incredible information and a brings our plans to create the UK’s first web zero cement works a step nearer.
“Cement is crucial to the UK’s transition to web zero. It’s basic to the event of every little thing from new offshore wind farms to nuclear energy stations, to low carbon infrastructure, and the 1000’s of inexperienced jobs these tasks will create.
“Our Padeswood CCS venture will carry vital inward funding and alternative to the area, boosting the North Wales financial system and securing the way forward for tons of of expert jobs.
“As soon as operational, it’s going to additionally present web zero constructing supplies for main tasks throughout the nation and can act as an exemplar for sustainable cement manufacturing within the UK and throughout the globe.”
