Fracking test well drill plans rejected
Application turned down for second time
ENERGY: Councillors have thrown out a controversial planning application that could have paved the way for fracking in the Rotherham district.
Energy firm Ineos had plans to drill a test well in the district rejected earlier this year, but returned with a fresh application addressing concerns.
COUNCILLORS HAVE thrown out a controversial planning application that could have paved the way for fracking in the Rotherham district.
Energy firm Ineos had plans to drill a test well in the district rejected earlier this year, but returned with a fresh application addressing concerns.
It was seeking permission to drill a vertical “coring” well at a site near woodland off Dinnington Road, Woodsetts.
The latest refusal came after the company took a similar application for a well in the village of Harthill, close to the border with Derbyshire, to appeal successfully, as councillors were told that national guidance had been changed by the Government to now favour shale gas extraction.
The decision yesterday by members of Rotherham Council was met with cheers from the public gallery.
Councillors cited the proximity of the site to homes, safety surrounding highways issues and ecological concerns as reasons to reject the application.
Following the meeting, a spokeswoman for the Woodsetts Against Fracking (WAF) group said: “We are elated by Friday’s decision and grateful to those councillors who were able to identify the genuine planning problems associated with this application.”
They said they “fully expect Ineos to appeal the decision.
The spokeswoman added: “The people of Woodsetts, Rotherham borough and our neighbouring areas which are also under threat, have shown that fracking operations are not welcome here or anywhere and we will continue to fight until we defeat this repugnant industry once and for all.”
The plans did not allow for fracking, but for the sinking of a test well.
That would have meant experts could establish whether there was shale gas in the area to an extent where it could be released, the meeting was told.
Councillors defied the recommendations of planning officers during the decision, who said the plans should be approved.
The meeting heard from a range of objectors, including the WAF, residents, a ward councillor and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England.
Resident Matthew Wilkinson spoke about the health implication for children at the school on emissions which would be generated from the site with some, he said, being harmful to humans.
“This site will pour tonnes of toxic gasses all over these children’s playground,” he said, telling councillors the situation was “a mass child safeguarding issue”.
However, Coun Bob Walsh said he saw no basis in planning law for turning down the application, but accepted it would not be popular with residents.
The root of objections was with Government policy on mineral extraction and energy provision, which should be addressed through Parliament, he said.
Coun John Williams also said he had concerns about issues raised by objectors, but that he would vote for the application because rules couldn’t justify refusal.
We are elated by Friday’s decision...and grateful to those councillors Woodsetts Against Fracking group.