Surprise U-turn on local fracking plans

FRACKING will not be going ahead near Frome in the near future, the Government has confirmed.

In an unexpected turn of events, local campaigners found out last week that the company intending to drill for gas near Frome has pulled out of its projects in the area.

Wales-based South Western Energy was offered four Government licences to explore for gas in an area of south west Wiltshire, stretching out to Berkley and Beckington, but has turned them down and decided not to continue with the project, despite originally saying it was making a ‘firm commitment’ to drilling one well. The company also dropped its licences for the Forest of Dean.

Annabelle Macfadyen, spokesperson for Frome Anti-Fracking said, “This is a fantastic result and a huge relief! It’s definitely a moment to celebrate the anti-fracking movement and all the work people have put in to resisting fracking in our area. The community effort will have played a part in this decision by the fracking company.”

Campaigners across Somerset and Wiltshire had a growing resistance against the possibility of drilling in the area, amid concerns that it would damage the environment, spoil the countryside and dent house prices.

Frome Anti-Fracking was formed as part of Frack Free Somerset; find out more at www.fromeantifracking.blogspot.co.uk

Despite celebrations, the group has not finished its campaign.

Annabelle continued, “The current threat to our local area is over for now, but we need to be aware that there will be other licensing rounds in the future and make sure the fracking companies don’t even consider coming back here to try again.

“We also need to turn our support other areas that are still under threat, the nearest being West Somerset and Dorset.”

Gerwyn Williams, CEO of South Western Energy, told fracking news website Drill or Drop last week, “It’s a matter of economics and financial exposure. If energy prices rise in the future we would certainly re apply for the Forest of Dean licences and possibly Wiltshire.

“We would not bow to public pressure. There was very little public pressure in the Forest of Dean and Wiltshire.”