9 September 2010 Last updated at 03:37 ET

Green light for Saltfleetby gas storage plan

The government has given the go-ahead for what it says will be the UK's largest gas storage facility in Lincolnshire.

Wingas Storage will convert an onshore gas field at Saltfleetby into an underground storage facility.

The proposal was approved by the government after a public inquiry.

Some residents of Grimoldby, a village near the site, opposed the plan saying it would create too much traffic.

The facility will provide up to 800 million cubic metres of storage and boost the UK's storage capacity by 15%.

Energy minister Charles Hendry said: "This project will provide the UK with new and much-needed gas storage.

"As the UK becomes increasingly dependent on imported gas, this government has made it a priority to ensure secure gas supplies."

Grimoldby Parish Councillor Terry Knowles said: "We as a village are not opposing the facility, we never have.

"What we are opposing is the traffic management plan which routes through our village in the initial stages something like 100 lorry movements a day down a small village street."

Lincolnshire County Council said there was no other possible route for the lorries, which will be escorted at a safe speed and not be allowed to go through the village during peak times, such as when children were being dropped off or collected from school.

Gas is stored to meet short-term increases in demand.

The site is expected to be working by 2011.