The developers behind the controversial Hybont project have submitted a revised hazardous substances consent application.
In October 2024, the project seemingly stalled when the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) submitted last-minute evidence recommending that council officers refuse hazardous substances consent on safety grounds.
The HSE’s concerns appear to have been related to the site layout (which remains effectively unchanged) and hydrogen storage.
The revised application contains slightly more detailed information on the storage arrangements and how the site will operate.
The application has clarified that firewalls (not just “walls”) would be built around the storage tanks.
The maximum amount of hydrogen stored on-site has been cut from 4.99 tonnes to 3.6 tonnes. The tube trailers used to move the hydrogen will also have a smaller capacity and work at a lower pressure than originally planned.
A line has also been added to the section on emergency measures. This states that while the tube trailers are recognised as a “significant site hazard”, they will be “positioned as far north-west as reasonably practicable (away from residents to South & East aspects)”.
