THE site of the former EPIC leisure centre in Ellesmere Port has been selected by developers as the base for a new 'Hydrogen Experience Centre'.

Plans submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council's planning portal at the beginning of this month (June 10) state that Cadent are seeking to use the now redundant location on McGarva Way as an extension of their Hydrogen Village OFGEM project.

Cadent say that the site will allow local people to come and speak with members of the Hydrogen Village team, view hydrogen-ready boilers and other appliances and find out more about the benefits of using hydrogen for heating.

Chester and District Standard: An artist impression of what the Hydrogen Experience Centre may look like. (pic: Cadent)An artist impression of what the Hydrogen Experience Centre may look like. (pic: Cadent)

The plans come after around 2,000 homes in the Whitby area of the town were shortlisted in May, as part of plans put forward by Cadent and British Gas, with the backing of Cheshire West and Chester Council, to be supplied with hydrogen gas from 2025.

The gas can be supplied through existing gas pipes but unlike natural gas, hydrogen produces no carbon emissions when burned in a boiler to heat properties.

Marc Clarke, Head of Hydrogen Consumer at Cadent said: "We want to be right at the heart of the community in Whitby and making sure everyone’s got access to all the information they need about the Hydrogen Village programme is an important part of that.

"Switching to hydrogen for heating will allow people to continue having the convenience and flexibility of gas while reducing their carbon dioxide emissions.

"Our plans for the new centre will give people the chance to find out exactly what this lower carbon hydrogen future could look like, even if the answer is ‘just like normal’."

The plans state that the new Hydrogen Experience Centre will generate two full-time staff positions and indicate that a small internal children's play area will be provided for those visiting with youngsters.