Keele University's (UK) plans to generate its own power have advanced a step after a controversial gas-drilling scheme was recommended for approval. The proposals would see two exploratory boreholes drilled on the campus to test the viability of extracting methane gas from unmined coal beds. It is one of several alternative energy sources being considered as part of a £20-million vision to make the university self-sufficient within 10 years. Wind turbines, solar panels, and hydropower are other possibilities.

But residents have raised fears the 38-metrer-high test rig could lead to a much bigger operation and create noise problems, water pollution, floodlighting issues, more traffic and possible subsidence. The boreholes would be just 430 yards from some homes and drilling would take place 24 hours a day for up to 50 days. The whole testing program could last nine months.

Newcastle Borough Council has also lodged objections, saying a noise assessment was unreliable and failed to establish the impact the plans would have on residents. But now a report drawn up for Staffordshire County Council's planning committee meeting is recommending councilors back the exploratory scheme.

Planners say Keele and its partner in the venture, Nexen, have given assurances that noise levels would be monitored and kept within strict limits. The equipment would be partly screened from campus homes in Springpool and Horwood, and from houses in the Westlands, which back on to university land. Officials say the application has to be treated "on its own merits," and so little weight can be given to any possible commercial production of CBM at Keele in future years.

But borough council leader Simon Tagg, who is also a county councillor for Keele and the Westlands, said: "If it isn't challenged, and it goes ahead, we could be open to more developments like this. I will be raising residents' concerns at the meeting. The main concerns include the potential noise and light pollution."

Andrew Dobson, an environmental politics lecturer who lives on the campus, said he has been reassured about some aspects of the plans, although he still has reservations. He added: "It could be very disruptive, particularly for families with small children, but they seem to have put in place strict limits for the amount of noise that can be made."

Richard Benmore, CBM project manager for Nexen, said work could start early next year. He stressed it would not involve gasification. Instead, water would be pumped out of the coal underground to release pressure. This would then free up methane bonded to the coal and this gas would rise to the surface. During testing, any gas extracted from the seam would be burnt off in an enclosed and insulated unit. The pumped water would be taken away in tankers to a licensed site, so it would not pollute water courses.