Environment Agency grants energy giant mining permits for fracking in Doncaster village

The controversial prospect of fracking taking place in a Doncaster village has moved closer, after an energy company was granted mining permits for its exploratory wells.

British onshore oil and gas explorer and producer IGas has submitted a planning application, requesting permission to carry out ‘exploratory’ digging in the Springs Road area of Misson Springs.

The plans have previously been met with opposition from residents, environmentalists and members of Misson Parish Council.

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But IGas says it has moved one step closer to starting work in the area, after it was issued with environmental permits for the proposed drilling of two wells at the site by the Environment Agency.

The permit has been issued after a review of the company’s plans and arrangements, and following an extensive public consultation.

Stephen Bowler, the firm’s CEO, said: “This is an important step towards having the necessary permissions in place to carry out exploratory drilling at Springs Road in order to evaluate the geology of the area.

“Such a detailed review by the regulator alongside the public consultation demonstrates that, as we have committed, our proposed exploratory operations will be carried out safely and in an environmentally responsible manner.”

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A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “The decision follows a rigorous assessment of IGas’s proposals and detailed consideration of all comments submitted during two rounds of public consultations.

“The permits set out the conditions that IGas must follow in order to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality and to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of waste materials.

“Should IGas receive the appropriate planning permission and begin the permitted activities, we will stringently enforce the conditions of the permits to ensure that waste is managed properly and local groundwater is protected.”