New details have emerged of plans for a new 125km hydrogen pipeline which will extend all the way to Northwich.

Documents have been submitted to Cheshire West and Chester council’s planning department by Cadent Gas as part of the HyNet North West hydrogen network, part of which is due to run between Ince and Davenham.

As part of the planning process, HyNet has to submit an application to the government for a development consent order, due to the proposed network being regarded as 'nationally significant infrastructure'.

But Cheshire West and other surrounding councils where the pipeline passes - known as host authorities - have to be consulted along with local communities and other interested parties.

Hydrogen has been earmarked as low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels for industrial use. The project includes the construction, operation and maintenance of up to 125km of new pipelines to distribute hydrogen to industry, power stations and locations on the existing natural gas network in the North West, where hydrogen could potentially be blended with natural gas.

The pipeline network would connect to a newly constructed hydrogen production plant at the Vertex Hydrogen site at Stanlow in Ellesmere Port for onward distribution through the network, as well as to a proposed underground storage facility.

A planning document submitted as part of the consultation, read: “A central hub would then connect the four main pipeline corridors that stretch across Cheshire, Warrington, parts of Merseyside and Greater Manchester in all four compass directions.

"Branching off from each main corridor there would be spurs - smaller pipelines – that provide connections to some of the customers identified as part of the project."

The proposed pipelines would vary in diameter between approximately six inches and 42 inches dependent on which route they take.

The pipeline would be buried below the ground along the entire route, apart from short sections within secure compounds at locations where Hydrogen Above Ground Installations (HAGIs) and Block Valve Installations (BVIs) are required.

The intention is for the pipeline to also transport hydrogen to potential blending stations in Warburton and Partington (near Manchester) where it will be blended into the existing gas network to heat homes and businesses. The Project will also link to underground hydrogen storage facilities in Cheshire that will be used to balance supply and demand.