Plans to survey for shale gas at Sherwood Forest have been dropped – but other surveys that could pave the way fracking will happen across Notts.
Information obtained via an FOI request in January made by Friends of the Earth revealed there has been correspondence between international chemical company INEOS and the Forestry Commission.
INEOS were planning to carry out ‘seismic surveys’ on Nottinghamshire sites.
However the company announced to Nottinghamshire County Council they have dropped plans to survey Sherwood Forest.
INEOS has also outlined its intention to carry out a 3D seismic survey across parts of Nottinghamshire for six months, starting in early June, which will extend into Derbyshire and Rotherham.
The County Council has approved two exploratory shale gas well sites on land between Barnby Moor and Blyth and at Misson in Bassetlaw.
Planning manager for the council Sally Gill said: “Subject to certain restrictions, INEOS is allowed to undertake the seismic survey without planning permission in line with national planning rules.
“However, any further development, including test drilling to explore for shale gas below ground, will require full planning permission.
“We welcome the decision by the company to avoid undertaking any surveying within the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve and other areas of special environmental interest.”
The authority has not yet received any full planning applications for hydraulic fracturing in Notts.
A spokesperson for INEOS said: “We anticipate starting our seismic surveying programme in June.
“Ahead of that we have deployed small teams of surveyors across the survey area, each accompanied by an ecologist and an agricultural liaison officer, to walk the land.
“The purpose of this exercise is to make a record of the condition of the land to ensure it is restored appropriately once operations are finished and to identify any physical or environmental considerations and constraints including stand-off distances from buildings, utilities, hedges, trees, nesting birds and other environmental or cultural restrictions.
“This process also lets us see what equipment is suitable for accessing each location and any constraints we might encounter.
“The data from these surveys will be made available to the British Geological Survey to significantly expand the available information and understanding of the geology of the UK.”
Greg Hewitt from Frack Free Notts, an anti-fracking campaign group, said: “Raising awareness, we feel we have been successful in delaying the process which is great.
“Pressure from campaigners as helped to slow it all down and put the pressure on not to do it.
“The surveys are a precursor to fracking and we want to resist this all the way.”
Fracking involves the hydraulic fracturing of rocks by pumping water and chemicals at high pressure to release gas to be used for energy.
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.
