Cory want to build their Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facility on Crossness Nature Reserve!
The Save Crossness Nature Reserve campaign group whole-heartedly object to Cory's planning application if it means losing any land at the nature reserve - one of only four Local Nature Reserves (LNR) in Bexley, and a Metropolitan Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (MSINC) and Metropolitan Open Land (MOL).
Wildlife sees no boundaries. Cory's suggested mitigation plan is a deception - the adjacent Norman Road Field site (currently owned by Peabody) has previously been used as mitigation. Therefore, it already provides a wonderful area for nature and cannot compensate for taking and building on Crossness Nature Reserve.
We think it is great Cory want to clean up their act but they should build their carbon capture storage facility on one of the alternative locations suggested in their planning application.
THE THREAT
WHAT?
Cory initially applied to compulsory acquire 11.7% of the 25 hectares of land at Crossness Nature Reserve - created under a Section 106 agreement (click here for further details). However, during the examination Cory announced they wanted the whole nature reserve!
This Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) required approval from the Secretary of State rather than the local authority.
WHY?
Cory want to build a decarbonisation plant on this part of the reserve, to reach their net zero goals.
The technology will collect carbon dioxide (CO2) produced by their incinerators and compress it into a liquid. This will be stored on site until shipped to the North Sea and pumped into empty oil and gas fields, deep under the ocean floor.
WHEN?
The examination timetable ran from 6 November 2024 until 5 May 2025. The Inspector had until 5 August 2025 to submit his recommendation report to the relevant Secretary of State, who then had three months to make a final decision.
On 5 November 2025 Minister McCluskey (Minister for Energy Consumers) granted development consent for the application.
Click here for Project information on the Planning Inspectorate website
DRONE IMAGE WITH OWNERSHIP BOUNDARIES
Drone image courtesy of Chasing Millimetres
ARTIST IMPRESSION OF CCS FACILITY
We have marked up Weedon Architect's impression of the proposed CCS plan. We understand the two absorber columns (closet to the existing incinerator buildings) will be around 116 meters tall (the height of a 34-storey building). The CO2 conditioning and compression structures will be approximately 50 meters (a 15-storey building).
MITIGATION
Crossness Nature Reserve and Cory's proposed mitigation site are next to each other - divided by a wooden post and rail fence.
Wildlife already use and move between the fields - they do not know the difference!
Both are s.106 mitigation sites - Cory cannot be allowed to
transfer ownership of Norman Road Field as mitigation for
building on Crossness Nature Reserve.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
SIGN OUR PETITION
Please add your signature to our change.org petition - click here.
Remember to check your email and confirm your email address otherwise your signature won't be counted.
DONATE
We have decided not to challenge the Secretary of State's decision to grant development consent for Cory to build their CCS facility on Crossness Nature Reserve. We therefore no longer need to raise funds and so are closing our CrowdJustice page.
Thank you so much to everyone who donated. The funds raised (over £22,000) meant we were able to employ Planning Solicitor Jed Holloway of Southwark Law Centre and Barrister Acland Bryant of Garden Court Chambers plus a highly regarded, independent ecologist.
SEND AN OBJECTION
The deadline to register and submit comments was 16th June 2024. Thank you to everyone who was able to do so.
Keep up to date with the Planning Inspectorate Project information here.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
If you would like to be kept updated about the campaign please complete this form and we will add you to our mailing list.
Also, if you have any questions or information for us please also use this form.
You can sign up for Planning Inspectorate updates here.
Cory's decarbonisation web page can be found here.