The Cheshire Gas Plant: it doesn't smell good

The Gas Plant: it doesn't smell good

If something smells bad in central Cheshire, it's Scottish Power's plan to sink nine high-pressure, underground gas stores - each the size of St Paul's Cathedral - right in the middle of a circle ringed by Knutsford, Northwich, Winsford, Middlewich and Holmes Chapel, using technology never before applied on this scale near major population centres.

Scottish Power themselves admit that the technology is too dangerous to be sited "near people" and are still trying to explain the catastrophic failure of their coal-fired Utah-based Hunter Power Station in the USA, which was out of action for over 6 months at a cost of $700,000 per day. Meanwhile, the Gas Plant scheme is based around a major industrial complex planned for Byley old airfield, using three thundering, jet-engine driven compressors that would cram gas underground at high speed: a 24 hour operation generating noise and air-polluting nitrogen oxides, while any substantial failure at the well heads sitting on top of the gas stores, could generate flames blasting hundreds of feet into the air. Scottish Power's claim that all this is in the national interest has been exploded by two key facts, first another admission that they will sell gas to the highest bidder, which could be overseas, and second by the fact that the whole risky project with all its potential for damage to the environment, would add no more than a ludicrous 3.5% to the national gas reserve. The sole and entire reason for this 70million venture, is to enable Scottish Power to buy gas when it is cheap - at weekends- and sell it when it is dear, during the week, bringing vast profit to Scottish Power. In fact the deal looks like this: Scottish Power gets the profit, another country gets the gas, and Cheshire gets the risk. Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer

Vale Royal & Congleton Borough Councils Oppose Gas Plant

Following applications for a gas processing plant at Byley Airfield, Vale Royal and Congleton Borough Councils both said "no" confirming local feeling against this unwanted project. The decision now passes to Cheshire County Council

Death-Blow to Gas Plant Claims? RAP has arrived

A detailed technical presentation by John Oakley, a highly-qualified engineer, has dealt a death-blow to Scottish Power's central claim that their Gas Plant is needed to secure national reserves of gas. Quoting strictly from published figures John showed that the Gas Plant will contribute only a miserable 3.5% to the national reserve of stored gas, a laughably-small compensation for the risk, pollution and environmental threat posed by this massive and untried industrial venture. John was speaking at the 12th July, Cranage Village Hall launch of "RAP" (Residents Against the Plant). Welcoming the growing band of volunteers, RAP Chairman John Halstead announced that Vale Royal and Congleton Borough Councils have now rejected Scottish Power planning applications and are recommending Cheshire County Council to do likewise. He added: "Thanks for your efforts so far, especially the vital work of writing to Councillors to make sure they know that the entire local community opposes this wretched proposal that threatens our homes and our safety. Now we must step up our careful, measured opposition, presenting a case backed by facts that will overturn Scottish Power's claims."

Later, John Oakley - a champion whom Scottish Power have come to fear - went on to show that the only justification for the huge power of the thundering, jet-engine powered compressors that would cram gas into Scottish Power's underground caverns, is to enable Scottish Power to buy gas at the weekend when it is cheap, and sell it in the week when it is dear, making enormous profit for Scottish Power - profit which is the sole, entire and only reason for the Gas Plant.

In closing the RAP meeting, Chairman John Halsted thanked John Oakley and commented: "Everyone should see your deeply-impressive presentation, especially those at Cheshire County Council who have the next decision on the Gas Plant!" Dr John Edwards, Press and Media Officer,

Death-Blow to Gas Plant Claims? RAP has arrived

Death-Blow to Gas Plant Claims? RAP has arrived

A detailed technical presentation by John Oakley, a highly-qualified engineer, has dealt a death-blow to Scottish Power's central claim that their Gas Plant is needed to secure national reserves of gas. Quoting strictly from published figures John showed that the Gas Plant will contribute only a miserable 3.5% to the national reserve of stored gas, a laughably-small compensation for the risk, pollution and environmental threat posed by this massive and untried industrial venture. John was speaking at the 12th July, Cranage Village Hall launch of "RAP" (Residents Against the Plant).

Welcoming the growing band of volunteers, RAP Chairman John Halstead announced that Vale Royal and Congleton Borough Councils have now rejected Scottish Power planning applications and are recommending Cheshire County Council to do likewise. He added: "Thanks for your efforts so far, especially the vital work of writing to Councilors to make sure they know that the entire local community opposes this wretched proposal that threatens our homes and our safety.

Now we must step up our careful, measured opposition, presenting a case backed by facts that will overturn Scottish Power's claims." Later, John Oakley - a champion whom Scottish Power have come to fear - went on to show that the only justification for the huge power of the thundering, jet-engine powered compressors that would cram gas into Scottish Power's underground caverns, is to enable Scottish Power to buy gas at the weekend when it is cheap, and sell it in the week when it is dear, making enormous profit for Scottish Power - profit which is the sole, entire and only reason for the Gas Plant. In closing the RAP meeting, Chairman John Halsted thanked John Oakley and commented: "Everyone should see your deeply-impressive presentation, especially those at Cheshire County Council who have the next decision on the Gas Plant!"

Vale Royal Throws out Gas Plant Application

Vale Royal Throws out Gas Plant Application

In an near-unanimous decision at its meeting on Tuesday 10th July, Vale Royal Borough Council's Planning Committee rejected Scottish Power's controversial application to set up a Gas Plant. This follows a deluge of letters opposing the plant, and a demonstration of more than a hundred people of all ages outside the entrance to Byley Airfield which Scottish Power would like to turn into an industrial site.

John Halstead of RAP (Residents Against Plant) commented: "This is excellent news, especially taken with the rejection Scottish Power received from Congleton Borough Council. It proves that balanced consideration of the facts by local Councilors shows up the Gas Plant as risky and unwanted. But we must stay on guard, as Scottish Power may push this matter to the County Council and beyond. We can stop this wretched plant, but only if we're ready to fight!"

Misleading Claims from Scottish Power Scottish

Misleading Claims from Scottish Power Scottish

Power is misleading and premature in claiming a boost for their Gas Plant plans from the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency. Both bodies have given only an "in principle" nod and now demand formal applications for rigorous examination in a process lasting months and including full opportunity for the public to make objections.

Meanwhile Scottish Power grows daily more pessimistic of getting approval at Borough or County level, noting the opposition of Congleton Borough Council's Planning Committee who are recommending the County Council to reject the Gas Plant, reflecting the united opposition of a local community seriously worried about the risks of pollution and major accidents. Even Fred Attwater, Scottish Power's Project Manager, has admitted that the Gas Plant is too dangerous to be sited "near people in towns" and at Hutchinson in Kansas, gas escaping from and underground salt cavern - exactly similar to those proposed by Scottish Power - has caused a serious explosion.

As Mr Attwater has confirmed that gas could be sold overseas, the deal sounds like this: Scottish Power gets the profit, some other country gets the gas, and Cheshire gets the risk.