DRAFT plans to exploit underground gas in central Scotland could permit the release tens of thousands of tonnes of methane gas into the atmosphere over 25 years.

An official field development plan drawn up last year for Dart Energy's disputed coal-bed methane project at Airth, near Falkirk, says it will be allowed to release up to five tonnes of gas per day for safety reasons.

The Australian company will also be able to burn off gas in flares "on an emergency basis".

Dart has applied for planning permission to sink 22 wells at 14 sites to extract up to 60 billion cubic feet of methane at Airth.  MORE