Huge win for campaigners as Cheshire councillors vote against IGas plans at Ellesmere Port

Cheshire councillors have voted to refuse an IGas gas-testing application today (25 January), in a huge win for the local community and campaigners. Friends of the Earth spoke at the Cheshire West and Chester planning committee, in opposition to the IGas application to 'flow test' for hydrocarbons at Ellesmere Port.

Friends of the Earth called upon the Planning Committee to reject the application because the proposed test site is situated just 1.85 kilometres from the town centre and only 700 metres from the closest residents. The plans to test for shale gas could have threatened the adjacent Special Protection Area of the Mersey Estuary which is an internationally important site for wintering birds.

Polly Steiner, North West Campaigner from Friends of the Earth, said:

“Councillors have listened to the hundreds of local people who have opposed shale gas testing and thankfully rejected these plans.

“Instead of dirty fracking, the government should be backing clean renewable energy which could create thousands of new jobs in Cheshire.”  

Giving evidence, Polly Steiner said that the application did qualify as fracking. IGas proposed to use 1,200m3 of liquid in the flow test, which passes the volume limit in the Infrastructure Act. She also outlined how:

• The company neglected to give details on the process and is incomplete, making the application inconsistent with planning policy;
• IGas should apply for a groundwater permit, because of the risk to groundwater;
• People living within 600 metres would be exposed to flaring, venting and extra heavy goods vehicles; and
• The applicant fails to account for extra greenhouse gas emissions, including from 88 days of flaring.

A peaceful protest took place outside the council today, coordinated by Frack Free Dee.

More than 2000 people had objected and signed petitions against the IGas application.

Colin Watson, Chester resident and chartered engineer, also spoke against the application in front of the committee this Thursday. With over 35 years of experience in chemicals engineering Mr. Watson says:

“IGas claimed that this is an acid squeeze, which avoids fracking regulations. No matter how you viewed it, it still involved 1,200 tonnes of shale gas to be flared, so we are delighted at the decision today”.

Momentum continues to build against the fracking industry. Today the Secretary of State cast doubt on the finances of Third Energy, who want to frack in Ryedale. And Rotherham Council voted against INEOS's plans to conduct exploratory drills for shale gas near the village of Harthill in South Yorkshire. Campaigners are delighted that the evidence continues to mount against an industry in its death throes.