The Project

In March 2017, the Keuper Gas Storage Project was given consent to store natural gas in 19 newly created underground salt cavities on the Holford Brinefield.

Due to the project’s importance in helping the UK meet its increasing energy needs, it was classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). This means that rather than going through the local authority like most planning applications, it required a Development Consent Order (DCO) from the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

In 2022, an application to amend the development was submitted, elements within the request have been consented through the planning process. Together these approved planning applications make up the Consented Development.

The main aspects of the consented project were:

• The construction and operation of up to 19 underground cavities with capacity to store up to 500 million standard cubic meters (mcm) of natural gas, having an import and export capability of up to 34 mcm per day.capability of up to 34 mcm per day

There were also some smaller construction works to be delivered as part of the Project:

• Two new brine tanks on the Lostock Works site, off Griffiths Road, Northwich
• The refurbishment of the existing Whitley Pumping Station in Whitley
• The extension of an existing brine outfall pipeline, located at the main INOVYN ChorVinyls site in Runcorn

The existing brine pipeline (which runs from the Lostock Brine Purification Plant in Northwich to Runcorn) will continue to be used to transport brine to INOVYN’s operations in Runcorn. This pipeline will not be used to transport gas.

The principle of underground gas storage (UGS) at the site has already been established through the approval of the consented DCO (Development Consent Order) in 2017. A Non-Material Change to allow the storage of hydrogen gas at the site was prepared and submitted in 2022 with Secretary of State notification in May 2024 that the change could not be determined through that process. However, the process identified significant national and regional need for a hydrogen gas storage site of this size to meet established goals to decarbonise the UK’s energy supply. 

We are now preparing a Material Change Application to allow the change from gas to hydrogen storage. The planning process started early in 2025 and the stages progressed to date include environmental scoping, environmental survey and assessment stages alongside ongoing engagement with stakeholders and the KGSP Local Liaison Group. The next stage includes public consultation on the proposed changes to the DCO consented in 2017 and on a range of updated environmental information (For further information refer to the Environmental Information Updates).

The original DCO consent states that the cavities will be used to store natural gas. The main change is proposing that hydrogen storage is allowed in the cavities. The location, amount, size and construction method of the 19 cavities is not planned to change. 

All other aspects of the project including the site entrance on King Street, the site road network, the layout of gas processing plant, and electricity supply infrastructure would remain the same. No changes are proposed at the locations beyond the main Holford Brinefield site at Whitley, Lostock and Runcorn. 

What is a Development Consent Order? 

A DCO is a type of planning permission under the Planning Act 2008 for certain large infrastructure projects, called Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) such as major roads, railways, ports, airports, power stations, and wind farms. 

Why is KGSP a NSIP? 

KGSP is a NSIP because of the project’s importance in helping the UK meet its increasing energy needs. This means that rather than going through the local authority like most planning applications, the material change will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate or PINS who will administer the application before the Secretary of State for the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero makes the final decision after examination.