Cement maker Heidelberg Supplies UK has secured planning permission for its Padeswood carbon seize and storage (CCS) undertaking in North Wales – mentioned to be the primary carbon seize enabled cement works within the UK – in what appears a landmark undertaking for the cement business. 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 undertaking, which is able to connect with the HyNet North West undertaking, goals to be the primary internet zero cement facility within the UK and a world exemplar for the deployment of carbon seize expertise at an present cement works web site. As soon as operational, it would seize and retailer roughly 800,000 tonnes of CO2 every year, capturing as much as 95% of CO2 emissions from the present Padeswood cement kiln.
RSK Surroundings Principal Environmental Marketing consultant Harry Cross mentioned the undertaking is the furthest superior carbon seize undertaking at an operational cement works within the UK by far.
He mentioned: “We’re proud to have achieved planning permission for this vital and rewarding undertaking that demonstrates the UK main the best way on deploying CCS within the cement business.
“Our work here saw RSK Environment acting as environment, consents and permitting lead, including coordinating the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and project managing the development of national significance (DNS) application. We were also able to draw on the skills and experience of 12 additional RSK Group businesses, including Joanna Berlyn from Stephenson Halliday as planning lead and Copper Consultancy as communications lead for the programme of community engagement and consultation.”
It’s estimated that the undertaking will create as much as 500 extra jobs throughout the building part and also will create round 50 direct, long-term operational employment alternatives. The undertaking 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 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 mentioned the undertaking 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 group 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 have 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 Optimistic (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 (visitors and transport)
He mentioned that all through the programme, RSK Surroundings labored carefully with the undertaking entrance finish engineering design (FEED) group, advising on design necessities for planning.
RSK Surroundings collaborated with different RSK Group companies to arrange 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 way of to 2024. 9 environmental issue assessments have been undertaken, together with panorama and visible, biodiversity, local weather and noise and vibration, to know the affect of the undertaking on the setting and suggest mitigation and enhancements to offset the impacts. Findings have been reported within the environmental assertion.
“Alongside this, Copper Consultancy coordinated a programme of community engagement and consultation and organised two pre-consultation events in 2022, a further three online and six non-statutory and statutory pre-application consultation events at local venues in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The planning application 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 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 all the things from new offshore wind farms to nuclear energy stations, to low carbon infrastructure, and the hundreds of inexperienced jobs these initiatives will create.
“Our Padeswood CCS undertaking will deliver important inward funding and alternative to the area, boosting the North Wales financial system and securing the way forward for a whole bunch of expert jobs.
“Once operational, it will also provide net zero building materials for major projects across the country and will act as an exemplar for sustainable cement production in the UK and across the globe.”
