12 March 2016
Worrying plans to introduce fracking in Somerset and Wiltshire have been initiated by SW Energy. The company have indicated that they are highly likely to take up the licences for fracking in the four available areas just east of Frome, and may also take the seven areas in North Somerset. The deadline for accepting the licences is 17th March, after which there is an expected 6-12 month timeframe to identify sites to drill. SW Energy would then be required to obtain permission from the landowner for access for an exploratory drill, planning permission from the county councils, and Environment Agency permission, after which they would drill their exploratory borehole. If this was successful, the way would be clear for them to move to production-level fracking, which would involve covering the area with well-heads, 600-700m apart.This could happen just 12-18 months from now.
The Green Party will work alongside local anti-fracking groups, Frome Town Council (who have declared Frome a Frack Free Area) and others to fight this process at every stage, but with the government determined to push fracking through it is going to be a tough fight. Meanwhile, there is increasing scientific evidence that fracking has a devastating effect on local health, pollutes air and contaminates drinking water. Please come to our What the Frack? event on 14th April, 8pm at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, to find out more and learn how to fight the fracking threat.
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