VIDEO: Isle pressure group formed to fight fracking plans

IGas Limited has revealed it wants to drill 12 bore holes on land in Misson, close to the boundary with South Yorkshire.

This followed an application to Nottinghamshire County Council for permission to start exploratory tests at the same site which was submitted in May.

The boreholes would be used to determine existing groundwater conditions.

Any bid for hydraulic fracturing at the sites would be subject to separate applications.

Supporters of shale gas say the industry could provide thousands of jobs both on site and in the supply chain. But in a bid to prevent this, and any other, application going ahead a group of Isle residents have formed Frack Free Isle. The pressure group is aimed at fighting fracking activities on the Isle and raise awareness of its potentially negative impacts on the quality of life of residents. Frack Free Isle spokesman Andrew McLeod said: “We decided to set up Frack Free Isle after the screenings of the film “The Truth Behind the Dash For Gas” at Haxey and Crowle last winter.

There was clearly considerable concern among many of those present, and with seismic surveys being carried out in the Isle and IGas already active at the Misson Springs site, we felt it was only a matter of time before planning applications for exploratory boreholes started coming up in the Isle.

“The experience of other Frack Free groups around the country suggested that having a strong and well-informed local anti-fracking group up and running well ahead of any such planning applications is essential for rapid and effective opposition.”

“It’s important that people get involved now, before the fracking companies move in.

David Petrie of IGas Energy Plc explained: “The purpose of the boreholes is to allow us to monitor groundwater and ensure that groundwater qualities and levels remain consistent should we receive permission and proceed with exploration on the site on Springs Road. We carry out baseline monitoring at all of our exploration sites to give us information about water, soil and air quality.”

He said drilling would take up to two weeks and only between 7am and 7pm, with no drilling at weekends or bank holidays.

He added: “The type of installation will be the same as that commonly used to install groundwater abstraction boreholes on farms and in the curtilages of residential properties etc. Given the type of drill used we are confident that there will be no impact on local residents, as noise levels will be below nationally agreed thresholds and work will only be carried out during the day. Indeed, had it not been for our plans to apply to drill exploration wells, this work would not have required a planning application as it would have been considered ‘permitted development’. This is not an application to drill to explore for hydrocarbons or an application to conduct any stimulation (fracking).”

To join Frack Free Isle email [email protected] address.