PLANNING chiefs have given the go ahead for gas to be extracted from deep below the ground at Warrington to generate electricity.
But members of the borough council’s development control committee have criticised officers for describing coal bed methane (CBM) as a source of renewable energy.
Officers recommended the scheme on land off Farnworth Road, Penketh for approval – partly on the grounds that it was “renewable energy”. But councillors pointed out that while it might be comparatively “clean” energy and was certainly preferable to many other sources, it was not “renewable.”
Chairman Coun Les Hoyle (pictured) said: “It was a badly written report.”
The committee approved the application by energy giant Nexen after hearing the site already had the benefit of a 30-year planning consent for exploration purposes.
The scheme involves installing a single generator set, ancillary control equipment and sub-station building.
CBM is extracted from unworked coal seams. Unlike methane obtained from abandoned or working coal mines, it is pure enough to be piped directly into the Transco underground pipeline system or directly to a high energy user.
If the amount of CBM obtainable from the site proves viable, the generator could then be removed.
The generator will run 24 hours, seven days a week. The
height of the generator, including the exhaust stack will be 6.7 metres.
But officers believe the development will cause no significant harm to the
appearance and character of the surrounding area, which is already screened by mounding and landscaping.
It will also have no unacceptable impact on nearby residents through noise, disturbance, pollution, visual intrusion or traffic, although there may be some disturbance during construction.
The use of CBM will benefit the local economy in terms of local contractors, the gas or electricity could be utilised locally by a high energy user and the use of CBM will contribute to national energy requirements.
Planning approval was given eight years ago for exploratory drilling and this was renewed in 2005.
Residents of Farnworth Road raised a number of concerns about noise, site security, gas plume, carbon emissions, height of plant, emergency measures, traffic, etc.
But planning officers said there will be no significant impact on the area. Electricity would be produced on a commercial basis and
In the long term, it might be possible to export gas directly from the site instead of exporting electricity.
