A PUBLIC exhibition is to be held into plans to build gas storage caverns beneath Portland.
The Heights Hotel, Portland and Kingston Maurward College will stage the exhibition outlining the multi-million pound project to build specially constructed caverns and a pipeline.
Members of the public will be given the chance to speak directly with representatives of the company behind the plans - Portland Gas Storage Ltd.
If built the caverns will be linked to the national grid by a pipeline running from Mappowder to Portland.
The idea is to provide storage space for the UK's gas supplies should production from abroad be cut.
Andrew Hindle, managing director of Portland Gas, said: "We warmly invite everyone who wants to know more. At the end of March we submitted planning applications to Dorset County Council and the DTI. This exhibition gives an overview of what the applications entail.
"There are very few areas with the suitable geology for underground gas storage.
"The unique geology of South Dorset allows us to do this safely, efficiently and unobtrusively."
A planning decision is expected in the autumn.
If granted, work would start later this year and the first storage caverns could be in operation in 2010.
The plans will be on show to the public on Saturday, May 5 from 10am-6pm at The Heights Hotel, Portland, and on Saturday, May 12 from 2pm-6pm at Kingston Maurward College.
For more information visit the Portland Gas website at www.portland-gas.com
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