Opposition grows to fracking plans

FOLLOWING the announcement that the Melksham area could be affected if fracking starts in Wiltshire, local campaign groups have raised concerns about the controversial plans.

Melksham Independent News revealed last month that the Government has proposed to allow gas and oil exploration as close as Semington and Trowbridge.

Local campaign groups Keep Wiltshire Frack Free and the Wiltshire Clean Energy Alliance have since issued statements outlining fears about the plans.

Campaign group Keep Wiltshire Frack Free is set to oppose any attempts to frack in Wiltshire. They will be will hosting a film showing of ‘The Truth Behind the Dash for Gas’ at Trowbridge Town Hall on Thursday 10th September at 7.30pm. The film examines the social, health and environmental impacts of fracking.

Campaign spokesperson Becky Martin said, “Awarding these licences would be the first step towards the controversial fracking process to exploit shale gas reserves. Members of the campaign group Keep Wiltshire Frack Free are ready to oppose any fracking plans.

“Residents living near fracking sites in the USA and Australia report that the industry has caused water contamination and ill health. There is a growing body of scientific evidence to support these claims, some of which is explored in the film.

“It’s not one or two wells we are looking at, but hundreds, maybe thousands and up to 52 HGV movements per day in affected areas.

“People who have been affected tell their stories in the film, some are quite heartbreaking. There are strong lessons for Wiltshire here.”

Another group, the Wiltshire Clean Energy Alliance, has expressed concern that Wiltshire fracking sites could bypass normal planning rules.

Under new guidelines government ministers will have the right to intervene if local authorities take longer than 16 weeks to decide on whether to allow fracking operations.

Lesley Bennett, spokesperson for the WCEA said, “These changes dangerously undermine UK planning rules.  The government has torn up its commitment to local democracy and local councils can no longer adequately protect community health or the environment in this bizarre rush to impose fracking on the British people.

“We are deeply worried that fracking is being imposed on Wiltshire’s beautiful and fragile countryside and its densely-populated towns and villages. Wiltshire is already a leading solar county, and is equally suitable for wind farms and biomass.

“Fracking unnecessarily extends our reliance on fossil fuels, and diverts financial and political efforts to develop clean, renewable energy infrastructure in Britain.”

Fracking has become widespread in the USA and Australia, and has since met fierce opposition as a result of claims about pollution, health risks and property values falling. A YouGov poll published in May this year showed that only 32% of the British public supported fracking in this country.

To find out more about fracking, or to join the Keep Wiltshire Frack Free campaign go to www.frackfreefamilies.org.uk