Company denies fracking in short-term at Sherwood Forest with residents and campaigners concerned

Sherwood Forest is a major attraction in Nottinghamshire

A company has denied that they plan to frack in Sherwood Forest in the short-term.

Information obtained via an FOI request made by Friends of the Earth revealed that there has been correspondence between international chemical company INEOS and the Forestry Commission.

INEOS are planning to carry out ‘seismic surveys’ in certain Nottinghamshire sites, including Sherwood Forest.

Residents and campaign groups have been raising concerns.

Pauline Meecham, a local resident and campaigner from the Frack Free Sherwood Forest & Edwinstowe group, said: “If this seismic testing goes ahead and we end up with INEOS fracking this area, the possible consequences could result not only in the decimation of Sherwood Forest but also more earthquakes in Ollerton.

There are concerns that fracking may take place next to the 1,000-year old Major Oak
There are concerns that fracking may take place next to the 1,000-year old Major Oak

“We are also worried about radioactive contamination together with the disposal of that contaminated waste and in a small rural community the vast amount of extra traffic fracking will involve.”

The area to be surveyed in the plans lies within a few hundred yards of the Major Oak, a 1,000 year old tree where Robin Hood sheltered with his men according to folklore.

Greg Hewitt, another campaigner from Frack Free Sherwood Forest & Edwinstowe, said that the issue is more than a local one as people from all over the world “know of Robin Hood and will show solidarity in the fight against fracking in this beautiful area of Nottinghamshire.”

Tom Pickering, INEOS Shale Operation Director, said that further analysis of surface constraints is required before a drilling site can be considered suitable.

He said: “In order to build upon our existing knowledge of the ground below us, we are currently preparing to carry out seismic imaging surveys across our wider licence area in the East Midlands which includes part of Sherwood Forest.

“This process does not include fracking in any form.

“Seismic imaging involves transmitting soundwaves into the earth and recording the corresponding soundwaves reflected back to the surface.

“The data acquired helps us understand the subsurface layers and fracture systems and determine potential drilling location from a geological perspective.”

 

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