Peak Cluster scheme

What the Peak Cluster Scheme proposes

Peak Cluster is a proposed Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). NSIPs are projects of certain types or sizes, which are considered by the Government to be so big and nationally important that permission to build them needs to be given at a national level by the Secretary of State.

The Peak Cluster proposal is to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from cement and lime manufacturing plants in Derbyshire and Staffordshire and transport them by pipeline for permanent storage beneath the Irish Sea.

Key elements of the proposal include:

• New carbon capture facilities at four existing cement and lime plants in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
• A buried pipeline network to transport captured CO2 across Cheshire to a network connection point on the Wirral.
• Associated above-ground inspection and maintenance facilities.
• New infrastructure on the Wirral to enable onward transport of CO2 for offshore storage beneath the seabed.

To transport the CO2 from Derbyshire/ Staffordshire to the storage destination in the Irish Sea, the pipeline route will cut across the length of the Cheshire East boundary. However, the preferred route has not yet been fully identified.

The Peak Cluster partnership is responsible for leading the project – which is currently at a pre‑application stage – and carrying out all public consultation as it develops its proposals. 

For more information about Peak Cluster, visit the Peak Cluster website.

Our role as a ‘host authority’

When a project is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP), it is determined by the Government rather than by local planning authorities.

Applications are considered through the Planning Inspectorate process, with the final decision made by the Secretary of State.

This means that Cheshire East Council is not the decision-making authority and does not have the power to approve or reject the project.

As the proposed development falls within the borough, Cheshire East Council is a host authority and statutory consultee.

As a host authority, the council's role is to:

• Examine the proposals and provide technical advice during consultation.
• Ensure that appropriate public consultation is carried out by the promoters of the scheme.
• Assess potential impacts on communities and the environment.
• Advise the Planning Inspectorate on local impacts through a Local Impact Report.
• Discharge any requirements attached to any future Development Consent Order. This is similar to planning conditions and means the council may be responsible for checking that certain rules and requirements are being followed before or during any construction. For example, this could be traffic management plans.

The council does not submit representations on behalf of town and parish councils, community groups or other organisations. Those bodies are responsible for providing their own views directly to the developer and Planning Inspectorate through the consultation process.

What we have done so far in response to the proposals

The Peak Cluster partnership carried out an initial round of public consultation in January and February 2026.

As part of this process, Cheshire East Council submitted an initial technical response in February 2026. This response is publicly available.

In April 2026, the council's Corporate Policy Committee considered a report on the project and discussed the proposals presented during the first consultation stage.

Councillors agreed that further assessment was needed before the council could form a view on the scheme's wider implications and policy direction.

As a result, council officers were asked to carry out further work, which is ongoing, including consideration of:

• The proposed pipeline route.
• Environmental impacts within Cheshire East.
• The location and effects of any Above Ground Installations (AGIs).
• Potential economic and community benefits during construction and operation.
• Health and safety considerations.
• Feedback from elected councillors, town councils and parish councils.

The council's current position

We understand that residents and local communities have raised questions and concerns about the project.

We are currently reviewing all information available to date and carrying out further assessment of the potential impacts and benefits for Cheshire East.

As the project remains at a pre-application stage and important details, including the final pipeline route and locations of potential infrastructure, have not yet been confirmed, we have not reached a formal position on the overall proposal.

Any future council response will be informed by further evidence, technical assessment and public consultation.

What happens next

Peak Cluster is expected to carry out a further round of public consultation in late autumn or winter 2026.

This consultation is expected to include:

• A refined pipeline route.
• More detailed information about infrastructure and construction proposals.
• Further assessment of environmental and operational impacts.

Following publication of this information, we will continue our assessment of the scheme and prepare a report for Cabinet.

That report will help inform the council's response to the next phase of consultation and set out the identified impacts and potential benefits for Cheshire East.

Elected councillors will continue to be kept informed as the project develops.

How residents can share their views

We encourage residents, businesses, community organisations and town and parish councils to participate in consultation activities organised by Peak Cluster.

Taking part in the consultation process will ensure local views are heard and can be considered as the proposals are developed.

Further information and consultation updates can be found on the Peak Cluster website.