Call to keep decision over £400m gas storage caverns on back burner

COUNCILLORS are being urged to once again defer controversial plans for a massive extension to what will be the UK’s largest onshore gas storage facility.

The £400m-plus scheme, by Scottish and Southern Energy and Statoil, will see nine underground gas caverns being built in open countryside near Garton and Grimston in Holderness. The plans were passed four years ago, but they have to go back to committee as the siting of the wellhead platform has been altered due to coastal erosion, bringing it to within 770m of grade one listed St Michael’s Church at Grimston and closer to seven other properties.

Neighbours are worried about noise during construction, which could go on seven days a week for the next five to seven years.

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Ward councillor Matthew Grove said residents didn’t feel conditions covering the first phase of the development had given them “any practical protection whatsoever”. Plans were deferred at the last meeting, following protests.

He said: “I’d like the developers to make some plain English promises to the community. I’d also suggest there is a system whereby if they fail to keep their promises they pay compensation to the community. I will be calling for it to be further deferred because there are still significant issues of concern to the community that I believe have a potential to be resolved to everyone’s mutual benefit.

“The fear of the community is that the amendments proposed will have a devastating effect on their day to day lives. They have offered black-out blinds, some ventilation for people so they can keep their windows shut in summer, but I think there is a little further for them to go yet.”

The amendments – including the building of a new access onto the B1242 – will be considered next Thursday. SSE said: “SSE, along with its partner Statoil, remains fully committed to following the planning process and to being a good neighbour to the local communities.

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“Since the submission of the application, SSE has taken the opportunity to further communicate with local residents and elected representatives, ahead of presenting the most current and relevant information at the planning committee meetings next week.”

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