Gas storage plans to be submitted

More than 10,000 local people objected to previous plans (Pic: Canatxx)

New plans to store more than one million tonnes of natural gas underground are to be submitted to a Lancashire council by Canatxx.

The UK firm has previously had plans to store gas in salt caverns beneath the Wyre estuary at Preesall turned down.

Lancashire County Council rejected the plans on grounds of its environmental impact and potential gas leak risk.

The company said the size of the proposal remains the same but concerns about safety have now been addressed.

Canatxx has said if it gets the go ahead, the site would be the largest on-shore storage facility in the UK.

About 10,000 local residents objected to the plans when they were proposed in 2003.

'Unique location'

Canatxx chief executive Paul Grimes said: "This is a unique location with natural salt beds which are ideal to develop gas storage caverns.

"Whilst we recognise that there are certain local concerns about the project and the impact it will have, we have been working hard with various experts and interest groups over the last few years to ensure that our application addresses and exceeds all the safety, environment and industrial requirements for a project of this national strategic significance."

He added: "The land owned by Canatxx has been used for fishing, shooting and rambling for many years.

"The project will not affect these activities - in fact Canatxx intends to invest further in the area's wildlife and preserve the open countryside for generations to come.

"We will ensure the Site of Special Scientific Interest is not disturbed and cause minimal interruption to users of the Wyre Way."

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