Calls for fresh wave of objections to Shropshire gas drilling plans
Campaigners are calling for people to start a fresh wave of objections against plans to drill for gas in the Shropshire countryside.
Frack Free Dudleston has asked supporters to submit objections to the planning inspectorate as soon as possible over plans that could see energy firm Dart Energy operate an exploratory borehole in Dudleston Heath, near Ellesmere.
The company submitted an appeal over the length of time it took Shropshire Council to make a decision, and bosses at the energy company have called on the inspectorate to look at it in private rather than its current plans to hold a public inquiry.
Chris Hesketh, leader of Frack Free Dudleston, said having the appeal held as a public inquiry would "improve chances of winning" for the group as it would allow them the same amount of time to put forward a case as Dart Energy.
He said: "We have robust arguments and a strong team so we have nothing to fear from being cross-examined.
"We were therefore very pleased when the planning inspectorate announced that the appeal had been upgraded to inquiry.
"But rest assured that we have re-stated our case to the Inspectorate and they are undertaking a formal review of Dart's request."
Mr Hesketh said he hopes to see fresh objections submitted to the appeal to show how much public interest there is in the controversial plans.
He said: "If anyone has yet to place an objection on the Inspectorate's portal then now would be a great time to do so.
"The flood of fresh objections helped our case during the first review because it shows that the issue continues to be important and contentious."
But Dart Energy has said that the appeal ought to be held using written representations.
Planning officers for the company said the majority of objections to the plans are about fracking – a controversial method of shale gas extraction that Dart has insisted it will not be carrying out on site.
He added that objectors were also concerned about topics that are "wholly irrelevant" to the appeal.
A date is yet to be fixed for the inquiry but it is expected to take at least three days and will be held later in the year.
