Peel makes 134-acre Cheshire land purchase
The acquisition of the CF Fertilisers site in Ince will enable the expansion of Protos, Peel NRE’s 256-acre clean energy and resource management facility.
Peel NRE’s purchase of the 136-acre site south of Marsh Lane would create a “hub for decarbonised industrial uses” to “boost” Cheshire’s low-carbon economy, the firm said.
Protos has already seen £500m of investment and has the potential to create more than 1,000 jobs and up to £1.5bn over the next 15 years.
The site will benefit from connectivity to HyNet North West, a decarbonisation scheme that aims to increase the UK’s ability to produce, use, and store hydrogen as clean energy.
Peel NRE expects that given the site’s proximity to existing and future infrastructure, including HyNet, that interest will be from energy generators, reprocessing technologies, and energy-intensive industries.
Kieran Tames, development director, Peel NRE, said: “This acquisition is a major step in the regeneration of the former CF Fertilisers site and reinforces our long-term commitment to Cheshire West and Chester.
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“The site has the potential to play a key role in the UK’s clean energy transition, building on the success of Protos to create new jobs and drive inward investment in low-carbon industries.”
He continued: “Our focus over the coming months will be on undertaking the demolition of the former manufacturing facility, ensuring this is carried out safely.
“We look forward to working with key stakeholders to bring forward our plans [to] support both economic growth and the transition to a more sustainable, low-carbon future.”
The acquisition will expand Peel NRE’s presence in the area, which includes the nearby Energy Recovery Facility, under development by Encyclis.
Bioenergy Infrastructure Group is also operational at Protos, its 22MW biomass plant uses commercial waste wood which would otherwise go to landfill to produce energy for over 42,500 homes, according to Protos.
The acquisition comes a little over a year since Peel NRE acquired the Fiddler’s Ferry power plant.
In 1969 1970 I worked for a Landscape Contractor on this site planting thousands of young trees and shrubs which all grew. On a site visit last year lots of these trees and shrubs have been lost to other developments on Ince marsh. The remaining mature trees should be protected. A big bank of trees are on the North and East side of this site and screen the old factory for residents in Helsby.
By Peter Williams
There is a lot of contamination with fertilisers in the ground on this site and asbestos. And a lot of nasties in the ground – Peel have a big job on their hands lets hope they do it safely and with consideration of all the wildlife that exists and Cheshire West Council don’t just roll over.
By June Dawson