Gas industry representatives were left in no doubt about the strength of feeling of members of the APPG Shale Gas Regulation & Planning that a lot more needed to be done by energy companies to ensure regulations about building well sites were strictly agreed. Concerns were raised during the latest meeting of the APPG about the number of any future drill pads in an area and proximity to homes. The Chairman, Kevin Hollinrake MP for Thirsk and Malton, and other members stressed this was an extremely important issue that needed to be addressed urgently.
Over 30 people attended the meeting on Wednesday 7th September. There was robust discussion on the topics of both financial compensation and the position of well sites in relation to houses. Mr. Hollinrake told gas industry representatives that it was imperative that they give clear information to the public on exactly where they proposed to locate wells. Other group members joined with Mr. Hollinrake in demanding that the industry appreciate that it was up to them to reassure residents and that they needed to speak to the Government about legislation to safeguard the countryside and allay fears that shale gas extraction would blight the landscape and environment. Mr. Hollinrake has continually pushed for the need for firmer details and was pleased to get a response from one producer who said they were looking at a maximum density of 8-10 sites in a 10km by 10km square.
Kevin Hollinrake led the argument for setting an agreed distance in order to protect residents as much as possible from any potential disturbance, for example, from increased traffic or noise from the work. Although the issue was discussed Mr. Hollinrake felt that a lot more needed to be done and firm guidelines in place before any significant roll out of the industry ensued.
“I believe it went well and was very useful. Community concerns were forcefully made by local resident Right Reverend Cray and the MPs and Peers present were able to cross examine the gas operating companies on industry body. It was very apparent that there is a need for more clarity in terms of likely impact on the landscape and community compensation. We will continue our investigations to make sure that work is carried out without significant damage to the countryside and environment.”
The APPG was set up by the MP because of his and constituents’ concerns about environmental and visual impact of fracking. The aim is to address the many and varied issues relating to fracking and in particular those that concern local people and to ensure that all issues are properly discussed and taken into consideration and to recommend an effective regulation and planning regime if extraction goes ahead.
As well as members of the cross-party group and representatives from the gas industry many other concerned individuals came to give evidence at the recent meeting. Staff from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, journalists and members of the public also attended.
There was a frank debate about the idea of compensating residents living near to where drilling is taking place. It was argued that any individual compensation could be potentially divisive and that options for money going into a more inclusive community fund might be preferable.
During the meeting those people invited to give evidence not only got the chance to raise their questions but also took questions from the public. Among those was Bishop Graham Cray who lives near the existing well at Kirby Misperton where an application for shale gas exploration has been made. He is one of many representatives from various community groups opposed to fracking who has been asked to give evidence to the committee over the course of the APPG’s meetings.
The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 8 November and has been scheduled to focus on community issues. Among those expected to attend include representatives from the the Roseacre Awareness Group from the Fylde and also from The Mars Parent Group from Pennsylvania, USA where Mr Hollinrake visited last year during a fact finding tour of the area where Shale Gas extraction was taking place.
Details about the APPG and the minutes for meetings are made available for the pubic to access on the website www.appgshalegas.uk