Aerial view of Bacton gas site.Picture by: Mike Page

Delays to a billion pound project to expand gas storage off the north Norfolk coast has left scores of residents facing continued uncertainty over what could happen to their homes and villages.

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The companies behind the Baird storage project at the Bacton gas site – which was planned to get under way last year – have said they expect to make a “final investment decision” over the scheme in “the next few years”.

Energy firm Centrica, which is one of the companies behind the project, has said gas market conditions have made the economics of the scheme “very challenging” and led them to review its timing.

But community leaders have called for clarity, as uncertainty surrounding the project’s start date is causing anxiety for residents in and around Bacton – with some fearing the scheme’s construction work could impact on house prices.

Two new park-and-ride centres are proposed to be built to bus the hundreds of construction workers in and out of the site in a bid to reduce traffic flow and congestion.

The proposed car parks at the former Crane Fruehauf site in North Walsham – which would contain 500 spaces – and on a site near the Lighthouse Inn, at Walcott, would be used by Baird workers for approximately five years.

But the plans have sparked concern as villagers say the proposed route –which would pass through Edingthorpe, Paston, Knapton and Swafield and be used by up to 14 buses a day – would endanger road users and put increased strain on the rural network.

Graham Jones, who represents many of the villages affected on the district and county council, said: “I certainly feel they need to start removing some of the uncertainty.

“There’s no clear understanding of what they’re doing and whether they have got the finance in place or not.

“The planning (for the car parks) seems to be going backwards and backwards and that does cause anxiety.

“The way it’s hanging on could have an impact on house prices in the areas where these buses are going.”

Centrica has said it is still pursuing plans to build the park and ride centres, but there are now added worries the car parks could become a “blight” if they are built, as they would be left unused as the start date for the project remains undetermined.

Mr Jones added: “The sites they’re proposing for park and ride could be blighted by a proposal to put car parks on there if they’re not going to proceed properly with the investment at Bacton.”

Centrica expects the Baird facility to cost more than £1bn, which will involve building “significant new infrastructure”, and say it will provide up to 10pc of the UK’s winter gas supply. The company said: “We are reviewing the timing of taking a final investment decision and commencing construction due to current gas market conditions.

“We are continuing to pursue the option of park and ride scheme in North Walsham and we are keeping the option of a site at Walcott open.”

lucy.clapham@archant.co.uk