Legal action threat over parkland site

THE NATIONAL Trust has appealed directly to energy firm Ineos to drop its bid to carry out a fracking survey at historic Clumber Park.

Ineos has threatened legal action against the trust so it can carry out seismic surveying at the Grade I-listed parkland, heathland and woodland.

General manager Beth Dawson, in a direct appeal to Ineos earlier this month, had urged the fracking firm to withdraw its application to survey the site and invited its planning and environmental manager to visit to see why it should remain as it is.

“Ineos has applied for rights to survey our beautiful parkland in order to explore the potential for fracking,” she said. “We cannot prevent you from taking legal action, but I do also believe that you are reasonable people who recognise how much we as a nation love our countryside and heritage.

“That’s why I’m asking you to reconsider your approach and withdraw your application to survey at Clumber Park.

“The National Trust is not motivated by politics and has no desire to become a campaigning group. We are a conservation charity, funded by our supporters, to look after beautiful places for the nation, for ever.”

Last night, Ineos confirmed it is to continue pursuing legal action, although it has responded to Ms Dawson’s letter with an agreement that it would like to meet to enter into further discussions and ease concerns.

There is no threat to the park, commercial director Lynn Calder said in a letter to Ms Dawson, in allowing access to Ineos to carry out a seismic survey. THE NORTH York Moors National Park has held meetings with Ineos over its intentions for the areas surrounding the site.

While the National Park is protected within its borders, it is possible to drill sideways from sites on its boundaries.

Andy Wilson, chief executive of the park authority, has said he is opposed to Ineos proceeding within the park.

“The North York Moors National Park is a specially protected place for good reason,” he has said previously.

“As the guardians of this magnificent landscape, its habitats, wildlife and tranquillity, the authority – along with the Government – remain firmly against fracking for shale gas beneath the National Park. We need to consider the area’s longterm interests.”

Ineos last night confirmed that meetings have been held with the North York Moors National Park Authority management team.

While there are no planning applications to drill anywhere in the county, Ineos said in a statement, it confirmed that survey work could potentially be carried out in the future to “better understand the geology of the area”.

“Ineos will of course follow due process whilst carrying out any statutory obligations, and will continue to consult closely with both the local authority and local communities on any works that we plan to undertake,” a spokesman said.

“If we do decide to do survey work it is a non-intrusive process which will have no impact upon the natural beauty of the park.”