Doncaster village moves one step closer to fracking as exploratory well plans are approved

A Doncaster village has moved closer to fracking taking place in the area, after plans to construct an exploratory well were approved just moments ago.
Fracking could be coming to the borough, after plans to construct an exploratory well in Misson Springs were approved this afternoon.Fracking could be coming to the borough, after plans to construct an exploratory well in Misson Springs were approved this afternoon.
Fracking could be coming to the borough, after plans to construct an exploratory well in Misson Springs were approved this afternoon.

Nottinghamshire county council has this afternoon granted permission for energy giant IGas to build an exploratory well in Misson Springs in a bid to test the area's water supply, and in doing so, its suitability for the controversial process of fracking for shale gas.

As part of the application, IGas will install groundwater monitoring boreholes in four separate locations.

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The deep groundwater monitoring borehole will be drilled using a rotary water well drilling rig with a fully extended height of 5.5m. The process could take up to 12 months to be completed, according to documents that went before the council today.

A spokesman for IGas told the Free Press: “We welcome the decision from Nottinghamshire County Council’s planning and licensing committee to approve the drilling of monitoring boreholes at the Springs Road site.

“Establishing baseline monitoring is key to ensuring that our operations are carried out safely and environmentally responsibly. Data gathered from these boreholes will provide further information relating to the current local surface and groundwater quality and will allow for a full understanding of conditions before, during and after our operations.”

The application was opposed by residents' as well as members of the Frack Free South Yorkshire, Frack Free Nottinghamshire and Misson Community Action groups and members of Misson parish council.

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Commenting on the group's reason for opposing the plan, Misson Community Action Group member told the Free Press: "Residents do not want to be living in the middle of a gas field in the future.

“A recent survey showed that 82 per cent of the residents of Misson are overwhelmingly against the development.

“Residents are very concerned about the negative impact to their quality of life and environment from the traffic, drilling noise, vibration and lighting.

“If the site eventually develops into full-scale fracking and gas production then there are major concerns regarding the safety of the principal aquifer nearby that provides a large area of the East Midlands with its drinking water.”