Protest at gas installation plan

The plans concern a field on the Worcestershire border

People have attended a public meeting to protest against plans to build a gas installation at a beauty spot.

Local residents claim the scheme in a field on the Worcestershire border will ruin the landscape and they fear it could be a safety risk.

The public meeting was held at Corse and Staunton village hall in Gloucestershire on Saturday morning.

National Grid, which wants to build the installation, said it will landscape the site.

It has also defended its safety record.

Public inquiry

National Grid wants to build a so-called pressure reduction installation to control the flow of gas through a major new pipeline.

It said the scheme will help to supply energy to the whole of the UK.

Spokesman David Mercer said: "By 2010 the United Kingdom will need to import 50% of its gas and this pipeline and this installation will be a key component in that."

A two-week public inquiry will start in April.

Protest group spokesman Joseph Gabbott said: "I believe this installation would ruin the landscape - utterly ruin it.

"It's one of the most delightful parts of Britain in my view."

Independent pipeline consultant Dr Richard Furness said: "All that we've ever asked for is a reasoned and open debate so that we can look whether this truly is in the national interest and not just in National Grid's interest."