COUNTRYSIDE watchdogs have slammed plans for a new gas pipeline to run through the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

National Grid presented its proposal to the Cotswold Conservation Board, responsible for the Cotswold area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, last Thursday at the district council offices.

The plan is to run a lengthy pipeline from Honeybourne to Wormington in Warwickshire which will pass right through the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Cowley, Duntisbourne Abbots to Sapperton.

This is in response to increased customer demand in the South West of England and may not even benefit the Cotswolds.

Malcolm Watts, planning officer for the conservation board, said: "We resolved to object to the plans because their study was not wide enough."

The board argues that a less disruptive option would be to reinforce the current pipeline running from Hampshire to Dorset.

The board has requested that the Department of Trade and Industry oppose the decision.

Mr Watts said: "The current plans will cause quite a lot of short-term disruption such as road closures, footpath closures and the removal of drystone walls.

"In truth, things will settle down in time so there shouldn't be any long-term damage but this process will take about ten years."

A response from the Department of Trade and Industry is expected in August.