PLANS to build three Block Valve Stations (BVS) at separate sites in Flintshire as part of a wider carbon capture scheme have been given the green light.
The scheme will see the stations built at Cornist Lane near Flint, Pentre Halkyn (on land off Racecourse Lane), and Babell, near Caerwys, in connection with ENI's HyNet carbon dioxide pipeline proposal.
The HyNet project will see captured carbon dioxide produced by land-based industrial plants stored permanently in depleted gas fields in the Irish Sea.
On Wednesday, the proposal for the BVS was given the go-ahead by Flintshire Council's planning committee.
Block valves are used to isolate sections of pipeline for maintenance purposes or in the case of an emergency.
Early detection systems installed along the pipeline would identify if a potential fault has occurred, and at what location, following which the appropriate block valve would be remotely closed to isolate that section of pipeline.
The block valves will be installed below ground level, with limited above ground visible elements but will include a containerised kiosk which will be approximately five metres high, an electrical transformer and pipework associated with the block valve.
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The stations are to be surrounded by chainlink fencing, up to three metres high, incorporating a double access gate for vehicles. There will also be a new permanent access track which would connect to the local road network.
The stations would not be manned but would be monitored and controlled remotely.
Some residents living nearby the proposed objected on the grounds of the block valve stations being highly visible in their proposed locations, and the landscaping and design of the strutures. Tree screening in the form of scrub planting is proposed to mitigate the visibility of the stations. However, residents living near the Pentre Halkyn site have raised concerns of the potential loss of sunlight at their properties.
Chief planning officer, Andrew Farrow, said that as part of the legally binding planning conditions associated with the application, a landscaping scheme must be agreed with Flintshire Council.
Andrew Gwenter, ENI's district manager, told the meeting that the company is willing to work alongside the council and local residents to provide an "acceptable resolution" over the landscaping issue.
Flintshire Council's planning committee granted the proposal - with 10 votes for it, four abstentions and one vote against.
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