DEMOLITION plans have been put forward for a redundant facility at Stanlow refinery in Ellesmere Port.

Essar have submitted a planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council to determine if prior approval is required to knock down the old alcohols chemical process unit at its Oil Sites Road site.

The plant consists of vessels, compressors, line work, furnaces, a chimney stack, reactors, and the supporting structures to these elements.

It was a Shell-owned process and is no longer in use as they have since vacated the site.

In its application, Essar says it expects to start mechanical demolition work in July next year.

It states: "This chemical process is no longer being carried out at the site as it was a Shell-owned process and Essar operated the plant on their behalf.

"Shell have ceased production and vacated the site.

"The remaining equipment is not permitted to be operated and leaving the plant in situ will create a future HSE liability."