Major Gas Storage Success
One of the UK’s largest proposed infrastructure projects of recent years has today been consented by the Secretary of State. Barristers at Kings Chambers, Paul G Tucker and Giles Cannock advised the developer, NPL Estates, throughout the project and acted as advocates at the inquiry earlier this year.
The development involves the creation of 10 massive underground storage caverns within salt strata to accommodate 260 Mm3 of natural gas together with a 50km long double pipeline to connect the King Street site to the Mersey Estuary, running through the Cheshire Green Belt and close to the Mersey Special Protection Area. The UK has only a fraction of the storage capacity of its major European competitors, and this case is a clear recognition of the Urgent need to increase storage.
NPL’s Barrister Paul G Tucker, of Kings Chambers said:
“This decision demonstrates a triumph for the dedication of the team of experts appointed by NPL Estates, who were able to present a robust case to a hard fought inquiry which has ultimately been vindicated. It is to be hoped that it represents a turning point in favourable treatment of such schemes, and also proves that the current planning system is well suited to deal with major infrastructure projects”
In his decision the Secretary of State notes:
“… there is clearly an urgent need for additional gas storage in the UK in order to maintain a secure supply of energy into the future and that the appeal site is one of the limited number of locations where Underground Gas Storage can be accommodated”.
Kings Chambers barristers were instructed on both sides in this case, with John Barret acting for East Cheshire Council in this case. The same advocates had ironically faced each other in a previous gas storage proposal two years ago known as Canataxx in which Paul Tucker and Giles Cannock had acted for local authorities who had successfully opposed that project.
Chief Clerk William Brown states:
“This case demonstrates that Kings are now a market leader in advising upon major infrastructure projects, both at inquiry and in preparation for applications.”
