ELLESMERE Port and Neston MP, Justin Madders, and Cheshire West and Chester Council Leader, Louise Gittins, have written a letter to The Secretary of State with concerns the Hydrogen Village scheme in Whitby has progressed without their support.
The proposal plans for around 2,000 homes in Whitby to be part of the UK’s first 'Hydrogen Village'.
The homes will use 100 per cent hydrogen for heating, cooking and hot water, instead of the natural gas they use now.
In a letter to Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on Tuesday, January, 24, the pair expressed 'concerns' that Cadent has submitted the whole of Ellesmere Port to be considered for BEIS's Hydrogen Town initiative and questions have been left 'unanswered'.
News that Ellesmere Port has been put forward for a “hydrogen town” has been done without the support of myself or @weezegee - here is our letter to the Secretary of State making it clear this is not in our name pic.twitter.com/V6hkxEXZPJ
— Justin Madders MP (@justinmadders) January 24, 2023
The letter also expressed concerns from both Mr Madders and Louise about the "distress and worry" this initiative is causing for residents in their constituency.
It reads: "We strongly believe those being asked to make considerable changes to their properties, for a technology which is yet to be proven, should consent to the project as opposed to it being forced upon them."
Kate Grannell, from Whitby, is a resident involved in the Hydrogen Village proposal.
She set up a Facebook group called ‘Residents of the Whitby Hydrogen Village Proposal’, which currently has more than 1,200 members, with the aim of providing a safe space for residents to discuss the proposal.
Kate said: "The campaign leaders have been working closely with Justin to push for a public debate and public vote, as Cadent have so far left critical questions unanswered, excluded residents who are not online from providing their feedback, and refused to provide detailed long term assurances for costs and safety.
"Hydrogen has a valid place in the industry, but not in our homes. The bottom line is that the fossil fuel companies, in conjunction with the government, are taking away our freedom of choice, and rights over our home - all so they can forcefully implement a hydrogen economy and dependency, keeping them in business."
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