Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Peak Cluster Pipeline and Project

15 July 2026 · 3 other contributors · 4,740 words

Opened by Esther McVey Con Tatton

Responding minister: Michael Shanks

ClimateEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Esther McVey raised concerns about peak cluster pipeline and project in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The Peak Cluster is a carbon capture and storage project that involves transferring CO2 from Derbyshire and Staffordshire to Cheshire, Wirral, and off the coast for seabed storage.
  • The lead MP requests a full assessment of the project's necessity, costs, and environmental impact, and seeks details on the process before public money was invested.
  • The minister acknowledges the importance of decarbonising cement production, noting that around 40% of UK cement and lime production occurs in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, contributing 350 million in gross value.

Key requests to Government

The lead MP calls for a full assessment of the project's necessity, costs, and environmental impact. She requests details on the process followed before public money was invested, reassurances about health and safety measures, job provisions, infrastructure guarantees, and confirmation regarding future import permissions.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Esther McVey Con Tatton

The Peak Cluster is a carbon capture and storage project involving the transfer of CO2 from Derbyshire and Staffordshire to Cheshire, Wirral, and off the coast for seabed storage. Local communities oppose it due to health risks, environmental damage, and economic inefficiency. The project has £60 million spent on planning permission with an estimated construction cost of £5 billion, which taxpayers will bear.

Other contributors (3)
  • Andrew Cooper

    Discusses the role of North Sea Transition Authority with regards to private sector companies involved in oil and gas drilling, suggesting it does not have responsibility over what Shell or BP do in the North Sea nor can it oversee Peak Cluster's activities. Stressed the importance for residents to know if the project is both effective and safe, highlighted community opposition led by fellow MPs like Matthew Patrick and Sarah Russell, and called on Peak Cluster to address concerns raised by communities.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Fully supports Esther McVey's efforts on behalf of her constituents. Agrees that any final approval for the Peak Cluster project must include legally binding guarantees to protect landowners' rights and address local environmental objections and community safety fears genuinely.

  • Sarah Russell

    Expressed concern that constituents do not feel engaged with or informed about the decision-making process regarding the Peak Cluster project. Inquired about the level of engagement required in such processes.

Government Response

Michael Shanks

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Roger, although the debate has probably not been conducted in the best way to discuss this topic. The Government continues to drive forward investment in carbon capture technology and supports clusters such as Viking and Acorn which were initiated by previous Conservative Governments. Decarbonising cement is critical as around 40% of UK cement and lime production takes place in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, contributing £350 million in gross value added and supporting thousands of jobs. The challenge is to future-proof the industry against international competition from low-carbon cement producers elsewhere. Carbon capture technology is essential for meeting net zero targets and protecting jobs in heavy industries. The NSIP regime exists so that decisions can be made at a national level by different Secretaries of State, not suggesting a predetermined outcome as some may imply; no application has been submitted yet for the Peak Cluster project. The North Sea Transition Authority is an independent regulator making decisions without Government interference. Community engagement is critical and must demonstrate meaningful impact on shaping projects to succeed in NSIP processes. Peak Cluster is a private investment, not a Government project; it is also not one of the two clusters initially taken forward by the Government for carbon capture and storage. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has been tried and tested for decades with safety standards ensured through robust regulatory regimes like those in Norway. The National Wealth Fund invests independently from Government, making decisions on its own framework as set out by the Treasury and Parliament. The Government take community engagement very seriously, expecting meaningful exchanges of views which have not always been respectful thus far. Any large-scale infrastructure project comes with concerns from local communities, but these must be balanced against ambitious plans to decarbonise our economy for both climate commitments and economic opportunities. Future project proposals will undergo scrutiny under high standards and a tough regulatory regime.

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