County Council hits back at fracking reports

An East Midlands council has hit back against claims that fracking will start in Sherwood Forest.

INEOS was reported over the Christmas period expressing an interest in carrying out geological imaging surveys across its licence area in the East Midlands, which is 2-3 km below Sherwood Forest.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Sally Gill, head of planning: “Any reports of fracking in Sherwood Forest are without foundation. The County Council has not received any planning applications for shale gas development which involve fracking, either at Sherwood Forest or anywhere else in the county.

“We have not received planning applications for any oil or gas extraction in or near Sherwood Forest Country Park.

“We want to reassure residents that any planning applications for shale gas development made in Nottinghamshire that are forthcoming in the future would be widely publicised and consulted on before decisions are made on their suitability.

“Our world famous Sherwood Forest Country Park, which is also home to the Major Oak and many other ancient oaks, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and is part of the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve. Conservation of its ecology and natural habitats are paramount and the County Council will do everything in its power to ensure its heritage and conservation is protected now and for future generations.

“The planning process is part of a comprehensive regime of regulation involving a number of agencies.”

Meanwhile, steps are being taken by oil and chemical firm INEOS towards applying for planning permission to explore shale gas reserves by drilling on an area of land in North East Derbyshire.

The land is privately−owned, off Bramleymoor Lane, between the villages of Apperknowle and Marsh Lane, near Eckington.