A PROPOSED gas pipeline installation at Corse, near the southern end of the Malvern Hills, will be much larger than first envisaged, say protesters.

National Grid has just submitted a revised planning application for the plant, part of a pipeline linking a new gas terminal at Milford Haven to the country's main gas pipe network.

John Heap, of the residents' protest group CAPRI, says the number of boilers on the site has increased from 12 to 36.

"They definitely made a statement at a public meeting some time ago that there would be 12 boilers and 12 chimneys.

"Now it has increased to 36 boilers on the amended planning application," said Dr Heap.

When asked to comment, National Grid spokesman Caroline Davidson said there had been no increase from 12 to 36.

"The site is no different from the original plan. What it may show in more detail is the site compound," she said.

The spokeman said local people may have misunderstood the original plans.

But Dr Heap did not accept this explanation. "They must have known all along that this was the size of the plant. This pipeline is a £700 million project, they can't just come up with alterations like this at the last minute on a project this size," he said

The pipeline plan will be discussed by Forest of Dean District Council at a meeting on October 18.

Comments have to be in to the council by Thursday, September 14.

The pipeline project was dealt a blow last Friday when Herefordshire Council refused planning for a similar installation near Ross.

Members said their responsibilities to the community outweighed any national interest in the project.