Government open the door to fracking schemes

A COMPANY  is one step closer to pressing ahead with a "fracking" scheme in Keynsham following a controversial Government ruling.

Hundreds of people have voiced their objection against a proposal to carry out tests to look at the possibility of carrying our gas extraction under land at Keynsham.

As reported in The Post Methane UK want to drill at land on  Durley Hill, near Hick's Gate roundabout, to see of the land is suitable for the procedure.

A planning application has gone into Bath and North East Somerset council, asking for permission to test the land the land.

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Many people believe Fracking, a procedure which involves extracting gas from underground, is dangerous and causes environmental damage.

Hundreds of people have officially objected to the Keynsham scheme and a series of demonstrations have also been held in the area.

There have been similar protests across the country and there are claims similar schemes in Lancashire led to two small earthquakes.

As a result of the tremors fracking  schemes in the UK have been put on hold for the last 18 months.

But Energy Secretary Ed Davey said yesterday that fracking could resume in the UK, subject to new controls aimed at reducing the risk to the environment.

The Keynsham and North Somerset area are being looked at as a source for natural gas thanks to the coals seams in the area.

Mr Davey said: "Shale gas represents a promising new potential energy resource for the UK. It could contribute significantly to our energy security, reducing our reliance on imported gas, as we move to a low-carbon economy.

"We are still in the very early stages of shale gas exploration in the UK and it is likely to develop slowly."

He added: "It is essential that its development should not come at the expense of local communities or the environment. Fracking must be safe and the public must be confident that it is safe.

"We are strengthening the stringent regime already in place with new controls around seismic risks. And, as the industry develops, we will remain vigilant to all emerging evidence to ensure fracking is safe and the local environment is protected."

Friends of the Earth Executive Director Andy Atkins, said: "Giving the green light to fracking for shale gas will send shock waves across the UK.

"Communities up and down the country will be disturbed by this reckless decision which threatens to contaminate our air and water and undermine national climate targets.

Around  560 people have called for B&NES Council not to allow the specialist company to see whether extracting methane gas is viable, saying it could cause environmental damage with other eco-friendly solutions a better option.

Objector Adam Hudson, from Bristol, said: "This is the beginning of more dangerous and damaging ways of desperately trying to get more fossil fuels from the earth. Our ground water supply is so unbelievably precious, we do not want these horrific chemicals pumped into the ground in this country or the illnesses associated with other fracking sites."