A TOWN councillor has voiced his concerns about the threat of fracking in the Westbury area, and about Government plans to strip local councils of the power to stop it.
Wiltshire councillor for Westbury North, David Jenkins, wrote to White Horse News recently to express fears about the effect of gas exploration on the local community.
He also criticised Government plans to strip local councils of the power to block planning applications for wells, as revealed in a leaked report in January.
Speaking on his personal views cllr Jenkins said, “The recently leaked report shows plans to attack local democracy by using Government powers to change the laws to remove the authority of local councils to vote against fracking applications.
“I do not agree with this undemocratic decision and will be contacting the appropriate government ministers to call on them not to proceed. Matters like this should be for the community to decide.”
Fracking came to attention locally last year, when the Government announced it had granted licences to South Western Energy Ltd to search for coal bed methane in the West Wiltshire area.
Westbury, its surrounding towns and villages and the White Horse could be targeted.
Cllr Jenkins continued, “We are lucky to live in a great area and I am concerned over the effects fracking will have not just on the environment, but also on the local community.
“What, for example, will happen to the huge volume of toxic waste water which is a by-product of the fracking process and where will it be disposed of?
“I have spoken to members of the community who have moved into the area, as well as those who have lived here for many years. People are proud not only of the town, but also of the countryside. It’s something we need to preserve not only for now, but for the future.”
In December the House of Commons voted to relax laws on fracking underneath protected areas such as national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Companies could now be permitted to drill underneath areas that were previously off limits, such as Salisbury Plain and the Westbury White Horse.
More recently, a leaked report showed that the Government could also be planning to introduce measures to strip local councils of the ability to stop wells being built.
Under normal planning rules Wiltshire Council, which indicated last year that it would be unlikely to permit drilling, would be able to refuse planning permission and stop companies starting operations in the county.
The leaked report suggests that Wiltshire Council could lose this power, and the final decisions made by unelected Government inspectors.
