CHESHIRE West and Chester Council have approved plans for ‘Hydrogen Experience Centre’ on the site of the former EPIC leisure centre after plans emerged last month.
The location, which is at the junction of McGarva Way and Stanney Lane, has been in limbo since the leisure centre was demolished. Now, gas provider Cadent are set to use the land to build a temporary centre to demonstrate the benefits of hydrogen-ready appliances around the home.
The Council approved the plans for the single story, flat roofed building on July 1 and the new centre will occupy the space for up to three years from the start of its use.
The Hydrogen Experience Centre is an extension of the gas provider’s Hydrogen Village OFGEM project, in conjunction with British Gas, which will see Cadent supply around 2,000 homes in the Whitby areas of Ellesmere Port with hydrogen gas from 2025.
Unlike natural gas, which powers the majority of gas-fuelled houses in the country, hydrogen produces no carbon emissions when burned in a boiler and it is hoped that changes like this will cut pollution generated through heating our homes.
Marc Clarke, Head of Hydrogen Consumer at Cadent said: “We’re really pleased that our application to bring a Hydrogen Experience Centre to Ellesmere Port has been approved.
“The application is for a building on the site of the old EPIC leisure centre at McGarva Way – a location which has been vacant since the leisure centre was demolished.
“The experience centre would be a place where people can come and learn more about the Hydrogen Village programme – for which Whitby has been shortlisted, along with a location in the North East of England. The Hydrogen Village programme would see gas supplied to around 2,000 homes within Whitby switched to hydrogen, helping to demonstrate how hydrogen can reduce carbon dioxide emissions within the home from heating and cooking.
“Cadent and British Gas’s Hydrogen Village team has already been out and about in the area over the past few months, starting a period of engagement with the local community to explain more about the Hydrogen Village programme and the benefits it can bring to the area.
“We’re also starting to complete free in-home hydrogen assessments in properties to better understand how the programme could be delivered locally. The Hydrogen Experience Centre is expected to be the next important step in that engagement journey, and we look forward to announcing more details soon.”
SOURCE: The Standard
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