"Hazardous substances" to be stored in Somerset
It's part of plans for a new £4bn gigafactory making electric car batteries
Up to 10,000 tonnes of "hazardous substances" could be stored in Somerset as part of a new gigafactory development.
New details about the Gravity site near Bridgewater have been revealed.
The chemicals are needed for the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are used in electric vehicles.
Now the firm behind the factory has detailed what it needs to store and where.
The chemicals in question
Carbonate lithium hexafluorophosphate mixture – up to 2,500 tonnes at any one time
Diethyl carbonate – up to 50 tonnes
Nickel manganese cobalt cathode active material – up to 7,800 tonnes
Petroleum products and alternative fuels, including petrol, kerosene, diesel and other fuel oils – up to 500 tonnes
Agratas, which is part of the Tata group, says the chemicals would be kept at the site between Puriton and Woolavington.
Jane Hurst of Stantec UK Ltd. (representing Agratas) said: “The construction of the battery facility will occur in phases.
“We confirm the maximum quantities of substances proposed as stated are for the operational requirements of all three production buildings.
“They are the maximum quantity of each substance to be stored and involved in an industrial process.
“Agratas Ltd. will be liaising closely with the local authorities, the police, fire and ambulance services regarding all relevant aspects of this development, including the need to prepare an emergency plan.”
The council still has to approve the proposals.
The £4bn gigafactory is set to create up to 4,000 jobs.