Shropshire councillor tells of fracking fears after permission granted

Councillor Steve Davenport said wells being sunk on greenfield sites in rural areas could have an impact on aquifers and the water supply.

He said if the technology behind the controversial technique was safe, then it should be done on brownfield sites in more urban areas.

Councillor Davenport issued the warning after the Government yesterday granted permission for the extraction of shale gas, from a site near Blackpool in Lancashire. The ruling overturned a previous refusal of planning permission by Lancashire County Council.

Mr Davenport is the Shropshire councillor responsible for the Dudleston area near Ellesmere, where plans to drill for gas were dropped after applicant Dart Energy's licence expired.

The site was the only one in that round of applications for licences in Shropshire with no sites put forward in the following round.

The application at Dudleston was met with huge opposition from local residents and also from campaigners from across Britain. An anti-fracking camp was set up on farmland where the exploratory drilling would have taken place.

While no applications for fracking have yet been made in Shropshire, it is feared yesterday's ruling could see bids made at sites in the countryside across Britain.

Councillor Davenport, who represents the St Martins ward, is very worried about the licence that had been granted for Lancashire.

He said: "This shouldn't be happening in our small country. This could lead to lots of wells being sunk and we don't know the affect it will have on the aquifers and the water supply of our country.

"If fracking is as safe as they say it is then it should be done on brownfield sites on the edge of cities, not in the countryside.

"Sinking wells in the countryside would be to turn green fields into brownfield sites."

Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Communities, who granted the permission, said: "The decisions follow extensive consideration of all the evidence, including an independent planning inspector's report and evidence submitted during a two-week public inquiry.

"Shale gas has the potential to power economic growth, support 64,000 jobs, and provide a new domestic energy source, making us less reliant on imports. When it comes to the financial benefits of shale, our plans mean local communities benefit first."

"We will take the big decisions that matter to the future of our country as we build an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few."

Mr Javid's decision was made using new powers that allow him to overturn decisions made by local councils.

Environmentalists and local campaign groups reacted angrily to the decision, which they said went against the wishes of residents and threatened the environment.

But business groups welcomed the "important step forward" for developing new domestic gas sources to provide energy and reduce the UK's dependence on imports.