Traffic concerns over lithium plant proposal

Plans for a lithium plant next to a narrow road have left some residents worried about traffic.

Northern Lithium is looking to create a lithium plant on land at Ludwell Farm, Eastgate, near Stanhope in County Durham.

But some locals have raised concerns over increased traffic on the C74 road, with one resident saying passing HGV vehicles on the route was "impossible".

Northern Lithium said the development would have "minimal impact" on local roads, with planning documents stating its contributions towards lithium production could be of "national importance".

Construction is expected to last 20 months.

Lithium is needed for making batteries for electric vehicles and demand is expected to surge.

According to plans, the C74, which runs between Daddry Shield and Stanhope, could see up to eight HGVs a day during a month of enabling works.

The proposals say it would be managed, resulting in a "maximum of 1 HGV load/hour".

But people living nearby have raised concerns about increased traffic on the road as a result of the development, with dozens of objections submitted so far.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said the C74 was too narrow and visibility was poor.

They said there were caravan parks along the route, which was also popular with walkers and horse riders, and the impact would be "immense".

"So we're talking quite a lot of numbers of people that travel in and out of it but the people that know the road obviously drive with courtesy for each other so we know to pull up if you see another car coming at a suitable place," they said.

"But to be passing HGV vehicles on it is impossible and it will cause people to have to reverse long distances which will impact on the safety of other road users."

Northern Lithium said the Local Highway Authority had raised no objection to the proposal as it was not thought the development would have an unacceptable impact on highway safety or result in congestion.

"Northern Lithium will continue to work with the planning authority and local community to minimise disruption and maximise the local benefits from our development," a spokesperson added.

Proposals for the facility follow previous exploration works which proved there was lithium at the site.

The plant is set to be decommissioned after 40 years.

Planning documents stated the UK currently imported all of its lithium and demand for lithium car batteries alone was set to increase 30-fold by 2050.

"The proposed development, once fully operational, would produce 1,600T/year opening up the prospect of lithium production from this site before the end of this decade," a planning statement said.

"Given the UK does not currently have any commercial scale lithium production capability, this contribution is a meaningful benefit of national importance."

A decision is expected by 13 January 2027.

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