A strong response to the Peak Cluster consultation should clearly set out how the proposed CO₂ pipeline and associated infrastructure could affect your land, your rights, and your long‑term interests.
The consultation is designed to shape the scheme before final proposals are submitted, so this is the moment to be specific, evidence‑based, and firm about your concerns and expectations. The consultation opened12th February 2026 and closes 27th February 2026.
We are aware that every house, farm or field is different and so is each property owner or occupier and wanted to provide some helpful themes to include in your consultation response.
Route Selection & Alternatives
- Ask for justification of the chosen route across your land and whether alternative alignments were considered.
- Request maps showing all route options, not just the preferred one.
- Emphasize any site‑specific constraints: steep gradients, flood risk, existing utilities, private infrastructure, or environmental designations.
The scheme route was selected following an assessment of reasonable alternatives to identify a corridor between the Peak Cluster capture sites in Derbyshire and Staffordshire and the offshore COâ‚‚ transport and storage facilities in the East Irish Sea, with a preferred landfall on the Wirral.
The chosen route passes from the Peak District area (including unavoidable sections through the Peak District National Park near Chapel-en-le-Frith), continues north-west via Cheshire, and converges at the Wirral landfall. This option was preferred as it best meets the Project Value Measures and National Policy Statement tests by minimising impacts on nationally designated landscapes, internationally protected ecological sites (including the Dee Estuary), best and most versatile agricultural land, and high-value heritage assets, while remaining technically feasible, cost-effective and capable of being refined to address engineering and environmental risks.
One could pick out sections of the above wording and tailor it your specific property.
Impact on Farming, Business & Daily Operations
Detail how construction or permanent easements could affect:
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- Crop rotations
- Livestock movement
- Access to fields
- Drainage systems
- Biosecurity
Request a farm impact assessment and mitigation plan tailored to your holding. A farm impact assessment involves a detailed summary of the farm holding and system to ascertain how it may be impacted by the proposals.
Compulsory Purchase & Long‑Term Rights
Note concerns about the project being delivered under a Development Consent Order (DCO), which gives compulsory purchase powers.
- Ask for clear explanations of:
- The extent of permanent and temporary land take
- Why they have used a 300 metre corridor when in 6 months this will be reduced to 100 metres
- All the other utilities that cross the Cheshire countryside
- The width of the easement corridor
- Restrictions on future land use (e.g., building, draining, sub soiling, ploughing, tree planting)
- Request early sight of draft Heads of Terms for the long term lease
Safety, Construction Impacts & Environmental Risks
Ask for detailed information on:
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- Pipeline depth and pressure
- Emergency procedures
- Construction traffic routes
- Noise, dust, and disruption management
- Highlight any environmental sensitivities on your land (habitats, protected species, water sources).
- Request commitments to restore land to pre‑construction condition, these include pre and post drainage schemes
How to respond?
The proposed pipeline route has been grouped the into three regions:
- Staffordshire and Derbyshire
- Cheshire
- Wirral
The interactive map details the route and to respond use this link https://peakcluster-consultation.co.uk/index.php?contentid=19
Whats next?
After considering the initial information and the feedback received from stakeholders, the Peak Cluster will develop the next iteration of the design. This updated version will include more detailed proposals for the pipeline route, the key infrastructure along it, and the capture facilities at each cement and lime operator site. Stakeholders will have another opportunity to review and comment on these refined proposals during the phase 2 consultation, which is scheduled to begin later this year.
Following that stage, the project team will prepare a Consultation Report summarising all responses received across both phases. The report will explain how the feedback has been assessed and the ways in which it has influenced the development of the proposals. All responses will be grouped and addressed by theme. This Consultation Report will form part of the Development Consent Order (DCO) application and will be published on the project website once the application has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
OUR MAIN ADVICE IS TO PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU ARE IMPACTED BY THEIR PROPOSALS!
Please note no liability is accepted in relation to the above themes.