Cement maker Heidelberg Supplies UK has secured planning permission for its Padeswood carbon seize and storage (CCS) challenge in North Wales – stated to be the primary carbon seize enabled cement works within the UK – in what appears a landmark challenge for the cement business. Environmental options agency RSK, which supported the bid, affords additional element
Planning permission was acquired from the Welsh Authorities on 4 April 2025 – 5 months forward of schedule.
Padeswood carbon seize and storage challenge, which is able to connect with the HyNet North West challenge, goals to be the primary internet zero cement facility within the UK and a worldwide exemplar for the deployment of carbon seize know-how at an present cement works web site. As soon as operational, it’ll 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 Guide Harry Cross stated the challenge is the furthest superior carbon seize challenge at an operational cement works within the UK by far.
He stated: “We’re proud to have achieved planning permission for this necessary and rewarding challenge that demonstrates the UK main the best way on deploying CCS within the cement business.
“Our work right here noticed RSK Surroundings performing as surroundings, consents and allowing lead, together with coordinating the environmental affect evaluation (EIA) and challenge managing the event of nationwide significance (DNS) software. We had been additionally ready to attract on the talents and expertise of 12 further 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 challenge will create as much as 500 further jobs through the building section and also will create round 50 direct, long-term operational employment alternatives. The challenge additionally proposes the creation of 4 new ponds, 9 hibernacula and 17 refugia (locations the place amphibians can relaxation through the day and escape from predators and the solar and, in winter, the place they may hibernate). It’s envisaged that the planting of combined deciduous woodland and the enhancement of grassland will cowl an space of round 10.13 ha and can enhance its worth for excellent crested newt (Triturus cristatus) foraging and provide wider biodiversity advantages for different protected species.
Cross stated the challenge is a powerful instance of how RSK can draw on its broad vary of multidisciplinary expertise to attain a significant infrastructure planning software. The mixed RSK staff compiled and submitted greater than 100 paperwork as a part of its contribution to the planning submission. The 13 companies concerned within the DNS software had been:
- RSK Surroundings (EIA coordination, geographic data 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 stated that all through the programme, RSK Surroundings labored intently with the challenge entrance finish engineering design (FEED) staff, 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 acquired in April 2023.
He stated: “Our collaboration continued because the EIA advanced and work on the environmental assertion started in 2023 via to 2024. 9 environmental issue assessments had been undertaken, together with panorama and visible, biodiversity, local weather and noise and vibration, to know the affect of the challenge on the surroundings 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 additional three on-line and 6 non-statutory and statutory pre-application session occasions at native venues in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The planning software was submitted on 27 September 2024.”
Heidelberg Supplies UK Chief Govt Officer Simon Willis stated: “That is unbelievable information and a brings our plans to create the UK’s first internet zero cement works a step nearer.
“Cement is crucial to the UK’s transition to internet zero. It’s elementary to the event of every part from new offshore wind farms to nuclear energy stations, to low carbon infrastructure, and the hundreds of inexperienced jobs these tasks will create.
“Our Padeswood CCS challenge will carry vital inward funding and alternative to the area, boosting the North Wales economic system and securing the way forward for a whole bunch of expert jobs.
“As soon as operational, it’ll additionally present internet 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.”
