RESIDENTS have criticised plans to drill for methane gas on green-belt land near their homes.

Greenpark Energy, the company behind gas-powered electricity plants in Hem Heath, near Trentham, and Cocknage Road, Longton, has asked for permission to conduct exploratory drilling at two farms near Tittensor.

The environmental energy firm wants to find out if methane gas is present in coal lying under Groundslow Farm and Knowl Wall Farm.

If enough workable gas is found, it could be pumped underground to a gas distribution network and production could last up to 20 years.

Swynnerton Parish Council held a meeting last night at Tittensor Village Hall, to allow villagers to see Greenpark's plans.

Peter Marsh, aged 59, lives at The Mount, Winghouse Lane, next to the proposed drilling site.

He said: "There are a huge number of issues with these plans.

"Initially it will be running for 21 weeks, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is going to be noise and it's all going to be floodlit.

"Winghouse Lane is already very busy and there will be HGVs coming up and down it, past a school. It's also going past a public footpath.

"I feel this has slipped under the radar – none of the nearby residents knew about it until I told them and only three weeks were allowed for objections."

Andrew Lamb, aged 61, who lives at nearby Winghouse Farm, said: "We're concerned about the noise levels that will be generated.

"It's very close to us and it's going to be going on 24 hours a day, for five months.

"It's also going to have a big effect on the traffic and it's already a busy road. There's big potential for accidents."

Residents in Groundslow Mews are also concerned.

Trish Burgess said: "We strongly object to these plans.

"We're worried about the noise levels, the traffic and it will be an eyesore.

"We were asked to take down a fence in our garden that was there when we moved in, because it was on green belt land, yet they want to allow this to be built here."

Neighbour Dan Fox said: "We all came here for a touch of rural living and this whole development has become a nightmare."

Graham Jones, who also lives in Groundslow Mews, said: "One of the main concerns is road safety. Winghouse Lane is national speed limit, it's narrow, it will be muddy and wet.

"I feel the company hasn't done a proper assessment of the danger on the road."

Greenpark has applied to Staffordshire County Council for permission to carry out the work.

A spokesman for the company, which is based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, has previously said the site would be in keeping with a rural setting.

If planning permission is granted and gas is found, the company hopes to start drilling next year.