Gas storage plan goes to appeal

Plans for a major new underground gas storage scheme in Lincolnshire will be the subject of an appeal following the decision of Lincolnshire County Council to block the proposal from Star Energy.

Council officials had recommended in favour of the scheme despite widespread opposition to the plan from local residents and parish councils in and around Sudbrooke.

However, councillors went against their officials' recommendation and refused planning permission citing local fears over health and safety and claiming the proposals would represent an intensification of industrial development in open countryside, which was contrary to planning policy.

The energy company is proposing to use the existing but depleting Welton onshore oil field as a store for natural gas.

Neither the Environment Agency, nor English Nature or the Health and Safety Executive had major concerns over the project.

The planners had pointed out that the scheme chimed with national energy policy and was supported by both the energy regulator and the Department for Trade and Industry.

Roger Milne

3 March 2006