Fracking tests to be carried out in Staveley

A chemical firm is set to carry out initial fracking tests in Staveley, it can be revealed.
Residents have been protesting against fracking proposals in Marsh Lane, Derbyshire. Picture courtesy of Eckington Against Fracking.Residents have been protesting against fracking proposals in Marsh Lane, Derbyshire. Picture courtesy of Eckington Against Fracking.
Residents have been protesting against fracking proposals in Marsh Lane, Derbyshire. Picture courtesy of Eckington Against Fracking.

Industry giant Ineos have been given permission by The Chatsworth Settlement Trustees (CST) to conduct a seismic survey on the Scarcliffe and Staveley estates, between Chesterfield and Worksop.

A spokesman for CST said: “INEOS advised that where they do not achieve access to land via negotiation, they would pursue the provisions available to them under the Mines (Working Facilities & Support) Act 1966, in order to gain access for the purpose of the survey. CST have therefore agreed to the survey.

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“At this time, there are many questions and concerns regarding shale gas extraction. In light of this, CST have no plans to permit the extraction of shale gas on their land. As an environmentally responsible organisation, CST will continue to monitor developments related to energy production.”

Fracking involves drilling deep into the down before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside.

Controversy surrounds the process because of enviromental concerns but others say it could contribute significantly to the UK’s future energy needs.

Ineos is currently applying to carry out fracking investigations in Marsh Lane, near Eckington, which has been met with anger and protests.

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Over the weekend Ineos was accused of threatening the National Trust with legal action after being refused premission to carry out fracking tests at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.

Operations director at INEOS, Tom Pickering, said: “Ineos has been holding discussions with a number of landowners across the north of England including the Chatsworth Estate and overall have been pleased with the positive nature of the discussions.

“As part of being granted Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences, INEOS has obligations to carry out agreed exploration activity, including seismic. In gaining access to land for seismic surveys we have two avenues we can pursue; commercial agreement and the exercise of rights under the Mines (Working Facilities and Support) Act 1966. We have discussed each of them with landowners. Rights under the Act are similar to those enjoyed by utility companies where access is required for national benefit if access is withheld by a landowner.

“Although we have had a very positive response amongst most landowners that we have approached, we anticipate that we may need to exercise those access rights in some discrete areas.

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“We have indeed mentioned that the British Geological Survey (BGS) could undertake seismic surveys under its powers however this was in the context that our financial offer was better than the fee the BGS would pay.

“We were invited among other companies, by the BGS in July 2016 to express interest in participating in a National Geophysical Survey and we duly expressed an interest. However it would not have applied to our East Midlands survey as the NGS survey arrangements would likely not have been concluded before we wanted to make a start.”

Mr Pickering added: “The BGS did write to us to ask that we did not reference the NGS in our discussions with landowners in the East Midlands and we confirmed our position with them. We have though offered to make the survey results available to the BGS under the terms that would apply if the survey had been acquired under the NGS.

“We expect to start our East Midlands survey in the next few months.”

Staveley Town Council said it had not yet been made aware of the proposal.

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