FRACKING will not be going ahead near Westbury in the near future, the Government has confirmed.
In an unexpected turn of events, local campaigners found out last week that the company intending to drill for gas in Wiltshire has pulled out of its projects in the county.
Wales-based South Western Energy was offered four Government licences to explore for gas in the Westbury area, but has turned them down and decided not to continue with the project, despite originally saying it was making a ‘firm commitment’ to drilling one well. The company also dropped its licences for the Forest of Dean.
Margaret Cavanna, spokesperson for campaign group Frack Free Westbury, welcomed the news and said, “This unexpected withdrawal has been an amazing reversal and a great relief to us!
“Although the developer denies that public pressure was a factor in his decision to drop the licences, we have learned privately that it did have a bearing.”
Campaigners had a growing resistance against the possibility of drilling in the area, amid concerns that it would damage the environment, spoil the countryside and dent house prices. Frack Free Westbury was formed in January as a splinter group of bigger movement, Keep Wiltshire Frack Free.
Margaret also said that the move was not the end of the matter and the groups would keep working.
“The harsh reality is that the company would consider fracking here in the future,” she said. “So people still need to be clear as to what it involves and whether they want it happening near or under their homes.
“South Western or another company can still apply for a licence to frack here at any time, so we will continue our work locally and support those in areas where the threat is more immediate.
“We shall be ready to leap into action again if we have to!”
Gerwyn Williams, CEO of South Western Energy, told fracking news website Drill or Drop last week, “It’s a matter of economics and financial exposure. If energy prices rise in the future we would certainly re apply for the Forest of Dean licences and possibly Wiltshire.
“We would not bow to public pressure. There was very little public pressure in the Forest of Dean and Wiltshire.”
Frack Free Westbury will host an event at the Laverton on Tuesday 27th September, and guest speaker, Louise Somerville Williams from Frack Free Somerset, will speak on renewable energy and climate change as well as fracking. All are welcome to this free, informal event which starts at 7.30pm. For more information go to www.frackfreewestbury.org
