An energy company has applied to drill water testing holes as part of a plan which could lead to fracking in Nottinghamshire.
Island Gas, also known as IGas, has submitted an application to the County Council for up to 12 boreholes across four locations around Misson Springs, Bassetlaw.
They would be used to test groundwater on a former rocket testing site if approved, a legal requirement for any future fracking to go ahead.
The drilling of the boreholes would happen over a period of up to two weeks in each location between 7am and 7pm with no drilling on weekends or Bank Holidays.
A report prepared ahead of a meeting on Tuesday, January 19, to decide the plan, recommends it is given the go-ahead by councillors.
A spokesman for IGas told Notts TV: “The boreholes are one element of baseline monitoring before, during and after any drilling activity and will establish existing groundwater conditions.”
Map: The area around Misson Springs which is subject to the application
No hydraulic fracking would take place during this particular application and monitoring process, but if approved, the process would be another step towards full fracking.
Nottinghamshire County Council planning manager Sally Gill said: “The Infrastructure Act 2015 includes a requirement for groundwater to be monitored for 12 months before any associated hydraulic fracturing.
“This would require a separate planning application before this can begin.
“The proposed development would assist IGas in collecting the necessary monitoring information.”
I think it would bring prosperity to Misson
Fracking involves the hydraulic fracturing of rocks by pumping water and chemicals at high pressure to release gas to be used for energy.
It is already widely in use in North America, and several applications are now being considered across the UK.
Supporters say it can create energy at low cost and create jobs, but many environmental campaigners have opposed it, saying it can harm wildlife and cause pollution.
The prospect of fracking possibly taking place in Misson has divided opinion among councillors and residents.
While he agrees with the proposal, Misson parish councillor Jamie Sutherton said there is opposition to it from local residents and other councillors.
He said: “I think it would bring prosperity for Misson and would bring things to the Parish.
“However, 90 per cent of the Parish council are not wanting any of that and another councillor has said that 80 per cent of residents are against it.”
“I personally, though, can’t see anything wrong with it.”
