Wyre Power is planning a £600m gas-powered plant at the Hillhouse International Industrial Estate and has just submitted plans for its link to the national gas network at St Michael's.

The pipe will extend under the River Wyre before crossing farmland at Stalmine and north of Out Rawcliffe. A new above-ground facility is also planned to serve the St Michael's end of the pipe.

Rural campaigners have urged caution as bosses look to complete the pipeline by 2014.

Robert Sheasby, rural surveyor for the National Farmers' Union, said: "No farmer will welcome any intrusion on their property. But the reality is we all use electricity one way or another.

"The country needs these things and there are statutory powers which allow this kind of infrastructure development.

"We just hope the acquiring authority will use their power sparingly."

Wyre Power's sister company, Wyre Gas Transportation, is beginning consultation with landowners and discussing compensation. It is planned landowners will rec-eive a payment for the right to bury the pipe and a cash sum for any disruption.

A company spokesman said: "Pipeline construction is planned to commence in spring 2013.

"It's likely preparatory works will begin earlier, including pre-construction surveys and the coppicing or removal of short sections of hedgerows for access.

"The main pipeline construction activities will be undertaken during the spring and summer months of 2013, to take adv-antage of better weather conditions. It's anticipated it will be completed, tested and commissioned and operational for winter 2014.

"We're committed to ensuring landowners do not lose out financially as a result of the pipeline activities."

The route had been chosen considering ecological circumstances, farming conditions and health and safety, he added.

Wyre Council has been asked to submit its opinion on the pipeline, but a decision whether to allow it will be taken by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The planned pipe would be 60cm in diameter and buried 1.2m underground.