A MAJOR hydrogen production facility is set to be built in the Highlands after getting the green light from councillors.
Opinions were divided as Highland Council voted to grant planning permission for the green energy site in Edderton, near Tain.
The Cromarty Hydrogen Project will include a 15MW hydrogen production and storage facility with a hydrogen purification plant, a hydrogen and oxygen processing plant, and compression and cooling equipment, along with other associated infrastructure.
The energy-making process at the plant had been described as “green hydrogen” by the applicant. Green hydrogen uses renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, meaning it would be classed as zero carbon.
The site will measure just over 11 hectares and is made up of open moorland situated 12 km from Alness.
During the decision, all members who spoke indicated a support for hydrogen production in the area, but some felt the greenfield site was not right for the proposal.
Councillor Richard Gale (East Sutherland and Edderton, Liberal Democrats) moved a motion to refuse the application as he said the development would be better placed on a brownfield site.
It was explained to the committee by planning expert Peter Whelan that the applicant had looked at 10 alternate sites but had not been “forthcoming” when the council asked for further details.
Gale’s motion was seconded by his party colleague Councillor Jan McEwan (Wick and East Caithness) and during the vote the pair were joined by Councillor Margret Paterson (Dingwall and Seaforth, independent) but the trio ultimately lost the vote three to nine.
The winning amendment to grant the application was put forward by Highland Council leader Councillor Raymond Bremner (Wick and East Caithness, SNP) who said he took a “different view” from his colleagues.
Bremner was joined by Councillor Angela MacLean (Dingwall and Seaforth, Liberal Democrats) as she acknowledged the concerns raised by residents but ultimately decided “we have to start somewhere”.
Before the vote took place the committee were also informed by the council’s legal team that the stance the rejection was based on was unlikely to hold up should the applicant appeal.
There were 10 public objections to the plans with concerns raised about the impact on the local roads, traffic, and the effect on residents' private water supply.
