FRACKING near Westbury has moved a step closer following the Government’s decision to allow a search for gas in the area. It’s a move that opponents say could cause environmental damage and ‘untold misery’ to local residents.
South Western Energy Ltd has been given permission to explore for fossil fuels in the Westbury area and has registered its firm commitment to drilling in search of coal bed methane. The news could open the door to fracking in the area around the White Horse and Westbury itself.
The licences, granted by the Oil and Gas Authority, allow South Western Energy to search for fuel within four 100 km sq. ‘blocks’; the blocks cover the area around Westbury White Horse as well as Westbury town, Hawkeridge, Heywood, Chapmanslade, Dilton Marsh, Bratton, Edington, Erlestoke and the surrounding areas stretching over to Trowbridge and Warminster.
The announcement came just one day after MPs, including Westbury MP Andrew Murrison, voted in favour of relaxing restrictions on underground drilling in protected areas, which would have limited where work could take place.
The step towards fracking has been condemned by local campaign group Keep Wiltshire Frack Free. Group spokesman Jon Davies said, “If fracking is started, Wiltshire will see a significant drop in house prices, increased congestion on the roads and the industrialisation of our unique and fragile countryside.
“We are also concerned that the government is ignoring advice from organisations like the Institute of Civil Engineers who estimate that a single well pad will require between 500 and 1,250 HGV movements; even the conservative estimates will lead to increased CO2 emissions and untold misery for those living in close proximity to the well pads and link roads.
“In order to meet extraction targets set by the Government there will have to be at least 11,000 wells situated within the UK and Wiltshire will have to take its ‘fair share’ of those.
“There could be hundreds of drilling wells operating within Wiltshire, which will lead to an increased industrialised presence within the county and cause a loss of earnings to both the agricultural sector and tourism industry.
“The government promises ‘tight controls and thorough regulation of the fracking industry’, despite extreme cuts to the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the very agencies that are responsible for monitoring and enforcing these regulations.”
Two councillors have introduced a Notice of Motion to Wiltshire Council opposing fracking. Jeff and Helen Osborn will be putting this motion to Wiltshire Council: “This Council is concerned that the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) has recently decided to offer licences for four blocks of land in Wiltshire.
“Council notes that the OGA states that the licences for these blocks will contain conditions prohibiting activities in order to protect ecological sites. Nonetheless, in its response to the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Council made a cogent case against the ‘water hungry’ nature of this mode of exploration and exploitation because of the serious impact it will have on Wiltshire aquifers. This in consequence it will constrain future housing development in the county.
“For these and related reasons, Council has major reservations regarding fracking in the county and its default position should be one of opposition.
“Furthermore these applications covering as they do hydrocarbon exploitation are contrary to the recent international moves in Paris to limit such forms of energy in order to counter climate change.”
South Western Energy’s Petroleum and Exploration Development Licences were awarded as part of the Oil and Gas Authority’s 14th Onshore Oil and Gas Licensing Round, which was announced before Christmas and could lead to fracking (hydraulic fracturing) operations starting up across the country. The Wales-based company was offered nine of the 93 licences across the country.
The licences give the company the legal right to explore for oil and gas, but further permission must be given by local or central government before drilling or production can take place.
The House of Commons held a vote without debate earlier this month, when they voted 298 to 261 in favour of relaxing laws on fracking underneath previously protected areas such as national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Surface developments will still be restricted within these areas, but companies could be permitted to drill horizontally beneath protected land from outside the area.
Wiltshire Council said earlier this year that it would be unlikely to permit drilling in the county and that it did not believe there to be any fuel worth looking for in Wiltshire. However, the council does not have absolute power, and the Government can step in if decisions are not made quickly enough.
Hydraulic fracturing, known colloquially as fracking, is a fuel extraction method that involves pumping fluid into the ground to shatter earth containing oil or gas in order for the fuel to be extracted. The process is widespread in the USA but attracts a lot of criticism over possible water pollution.
For more information about the recent licensing round go to www.gov.uk/government/organisations/oil-and-gas-authority Westbury could be affected by blocks ST84, ST85, ST94 and ST95.
