About this project
Underground gas storage facility to store gas in, extract gas from and inject gas into, with a total storage capacity up to 900 million standard cubic metres and working capacity of up to 600 million cubic metres, both specified at standard temperatures and pressures, comprising:(i) up to 19 operational caverns formed by solution mining of the Preesall halite deposit all to be constructed to any extent downwards below 220 metres below ground surface and to be confined in the Preesall halite deposit.
(ii) 7 multiple wellhead compounds to create the underground salt caverns and, once operational, to connect the gas manifolds.
(iii) Gas Compressor Compound comprising pig launchers and receivers; slug catchers; above ground high.
Recent activity
Please note that the first round of consultation closed on Friday 9 May 2014 and no further representations are invited by the Secretary of State at this stage. However, as indicated in the Statement of Matters, an opportunity to comment on the representations received and other relevant information, including the independent Geological Assessor’s Report (once available), will be given to interested parties in due course.
The geological information requested by the secretary of state on 23 May 2014 is also available.
Please note that the first round of consultation closed on Friday 9 May 2014 and no further representations are invited by the Secretary of State at this stage. However, as indicated in the Statement of Matters, an opportunity to comment on the representations received and other relevant information, including the independent Geological Assessor’s Report (once available), will be given to interested parties in due course.
Further to the Secretary of States letter dated 1 May 2014, the Secretary of State has written to Halite Energy Limited and requested further geological data that the assessor requires.
Following the Order of the High Court (Patterson J) made on 17 January 2014 quashing the decision of the Secretary of State dated 9 April 2013 to refuse the application by Halite Energy Limited for development consent for the proposed underground gas storage facility including associated development in Preesall, Lancashire, the Secretary of State must now re-determine that application.
The Secretary of State has written to interested parties with a Statement of Matters with respect to further written representations (pursuant to rule 20 (2) of the Infrastructure Planning (Examination Procedure) Rules 2010), setting out the matters in relation to which the Secretary of State considers further representations are needed.
Please direct representations to the National Infrastructure Consents Team at the Department for Energy and Climate Change (see letter for details). The deadline for representations is no later than Friday 9 May 2014.
All new representations will be published on this website in due course, and there will be an opportunity to comment on representations.
All previous correspondance received by the Secretary of State following the decision on 9 April 2013 can be viewed here.
The Secretary of State has written to Halite Energy Limited to clarify what geological data the geological assessor will require from Halite Energy Limited in order to provide expert advice to the Secretary of State and to produce the geological report.
The report by the Panel of Examining Inspectors was republished on 15 April 2013, because the copy published on 9 April 2013 omitted Appendix D. We apologise for this error.
The Secretary of State has refused development consent for this application. For further information, please refer to the Secretary of State’s Decision Letter and report by the Panel of Examining Inspectors (Republished 15 April 2013, to include Appendix D).
Correspondence received after the close of the examination:
Report by Dieter Helm
Report by Chris Le Fevre
Post examination correspondence
Other documentation:
Letter sent to interested parties by the Planning Inspectorate
What happens next
A decision on the application for a development consent order for Preesall Saltfield Underground Gas Storage was taken on 9 April 2013 and has now been issued. The statement of reasons can be viewed here.
The period for legal challenge is defined in s118 of the Planning Act 2008. Further information about legal challenge can be found in the letter sent to all interested parties accompanying the statement of reasons.
If you have any queries about the process please email the Planning Inspectorate at enquiries@infrastructure.gsi.gov.uk or telephone the helpdesk on 0303 444 5000.