PLANS to build a 17-mile gas pipeline across the north Hampshire countryside have won the cautious backing of Basingstoke MP Andrew Hunter.

The £50million gas storage project proposed by Star Energy will extend the life of the Humbly Grove onshore oilfield at Weston Common, in Lasham, by 15 years.

The high-quality steel pipe would link the oilfield to the national gas distribution system at Barton Stacey, seven miles north of Winchester.

The construction work will involve an 85-foot-wide strip being cleared and fenced off along the pipe's route. If it gets the go-ahead, the work is expected to start in the spring or summer next year.

Once the 24-inch pipe has been laid, at least four feet underground, the land would be restored.

Star Energy plans to import natural gas from the national gas distribution system into the oilfield during the summer, and would use the oilfield to store the gas. The gas would then be pumped out into the national network at times of high winter demand.

The company says the pressure of the gas stored underground could boost production from 300 barrels of oil a day to 2,500 and add another 15 years to the likely life of the field.

Basingstoke MP Mr Hunter said: "I wasn't aware this was going to happen until I read it in The Gazette last Monday, but it sounds, in principle, to be a worthwhile project.

"My own concern would be that the inconvenience to local people will be minimal and any environmental damage will be negligible."

Star Energy has sought permission from the Department of Trade and Industry for the pipeline, and has lodged an application with Hampshire County Council.

Mr Hunter said he is going to write to the county council so that he can keep abreast of developments.

He said: "The county council will be making the decision and I am sure the county council will judge it as it sees fit."

But environmentalists have already voiced concerns about the project.

Independent borough councillor Martin Biermann, who is vice chairman of the environment overview committee, said there needs to be a very strong and reasonable justification to have the pipeline.

He said: "I am surprised that the best solution is at a distance of 17 miles, and wonder whether the choice is just the most commercially attractive for the applicant.

"Central government is likely to be biased towards permission and, thus, our local efforts are probably best directed towards ameliorating the worst excesses of the proposals."

Greenpeace member Trish Whitham, from Chineham, said: "I would imagine there's going to be quite a lot of local people who are going to be concerned about this.

"I would recommend that those who are affected by this proposal should get themselves into a campaign group. Their views will then be taken more seriously and they will be able to get advice from people like the Council for the Protection of Rural England."