'I might have to sell my herd over pipeline plans'

A farmer fears he will have to sell his herd of cows after failing to receive compensation for disruption to his business caused by a CO2 pipeline that is set to run through his land.

Richard Jones, who runs a dairy farm in Cheshire, says a field he usually uses to graze cattle is covered in rubble that spans about 98ft (30m) wide and runs from one field into a second.

The preliminary works are for a pipeline that will carry CO2 from the nearby Stanlow refinery to the Point of Ayr in north Wales.

Liverpool Bay CCS, which is leading the project, said it was engaging openly with the local community and landowners to minimise any impacts and said Mr Jones "had received a payment for his advanced compensation claim".

The land is under a development consent order (DCO) which grants the government the power to compulsorily acquire the land and rights if required.

Mr Jones says he does not have strong views on the project itself, but is angry at the way he feels he has been treated.

He said while he had received a payment towards usage of his land between September 2025 and 2026, he felt it would not cover for all the disruption, adding it was having a huge impact on his farm.

He also said he believed he had not been paid easement money for the ground where the pipeline would run through.

"It's impacting my business tremendously….the project is taking up 19% of my farm.

"We have had to keep the cows in for longer this spring and we've had to use a bit more feed so we are going to have a shortage."

The fields would normally be covered in grass which would be mowed for feeding the animals in winter.

But that has now gone, meaning he has to buy in more feed at a big cost to the business.

He said he was told how much land would be dug up but seeing it was still a shock.

Despite being in discussions with land agents for almost four years, Mr Jones said an agreement on how much he would receive for the easement – the area where the pipe will run – had only just been reached.

A pre-compensation figure has also been reached and Liverpool Bay CCS said Mr Jones had received a payment in line with this.

Mr Jones added: "They took entry [of the land] last October which with no agreement for the pipe.

"We need to be able to plan ahead six months to a year but we can't because we don't know when we will receive the [easement] money. It is a nightmare.

"They don't understand farming."

At one end of the meadow, several large pipes lie, waiting to be placed below a bridge.

It is unclear when this will happen because the pipeline will continue on to a neighbouring livery yard but those owners have refused entry to the contractors.

They told the BBC they had been shocked by the disruption the line was causing to Mr Jones's land and as there was no compensation offered for the horses to be stabled elsewhere while the construction work took place, they had decided to say no.

It is a stand off that could be decided by the courts.

Mr Jones said evidence for his full losses had been submitted and they had heard nothing.

Meanwhile his 200 strong herd are grazing together in another meadow.

"It's very serious and it's causing us mental health issues. In the long term I think we'll have to cut our numbers down because I'm not going to be able to feed the animals.

"So we'll have to sell cattle on to other farms I think. That's our only answer."

Liverpool Bay CCS Limited is leading the development of the project which will serve the Hynet Industrial Decarbonisation Cluster.

It will transport CO2 from various industries across the North West and north Wales to permanent storage in depleted gas reservoirs in Liverpool Bay.

In a statement, the company said: "The carbon dioxide pipeline is an essential part of the T&S infrastructure and is recognised as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

"Consent for the development was granted via a DCO by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero in March 2024, which allows for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the pipeline.

"Following the completion of construction activity, the land will be reinstated to ensure all current agricultural practices can resume.

It added: "As per the requirement of the Compensation Code, landowners are entitled to compensation for any losses they may incur, provided they can be justified and evidenced accordingly. The landowner in question received a payment for his advanced compensation claim."

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "Carbon capture, usage and storage is vital for Britain's clean energy future. The Climate Change Committee describes it as a 'necessity not an option' for reaching our climate goals.

"We are delivering first-of-a-kind carbon capture projects in the UK, backed by £9.4bn over this parliament - supporting thousands of jobs across the country and reigniting our industrial heartlands.

"All carbon capture projects must meet strict environmental and regulatory requirements, including ensuring high levels of protection for both communities and the environment."

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