The Mendip District Council Liberal Democrat group are calling on the Conservative Council administration to listen to the concerns of local people regarding the controversial act of hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’.  Fracking – the extraction of fossil fuel gas found deep underground – has been the focus of much national attention.

The motion, which has been submitted to go before Full Council on  30th September calls on the Conservative administration to explore more deeply the impact that such activity would have on our area before decisions are made on whether or not to move forward.

Group Leader Cllr Danny Unwin concluded, “This is a no-no for Mendip at the moment. There is no convincing evidence that it will result in a fall in energy bills. The impact on water quality, local springs and our beautiful natural environment is not worth the risk when even experts can’t agree on it.”

See also the article in the Frome Standard: http://www.fromestandard.co.uk/Mendip-Lib-Dems-government-listen-concerns-local/story-19846708-detail/story.html

The meeting is at 6.30pm on 30th September, Kilver Court, Shepton Mallet. Any press should contact cllr Helen Sprawson-White on 07713 565265. Please get in touch with me at cllr.boyden@mendip.gov.uk or 07809 284817.  The submitted Motion is below. This may be subject to change before the meeting in discussion with other councillors.  Further information will be posted at www.adamboyden.mycouncillor.org when available.

MOTION SUBMITTED 9th SEPTEMBER 2013, FOR FULL MENDIP DISTRICT COUNCIL:

This Council:

Notes the enthusiasm of Government for the potential for unconventional gas (including hydraulic fracturing, ‘fracking’, of shale gas deposits, and coalbed methane) to make a contribution to the UK’s energy needs in future.

Notes that parts of the Mendip area are subject to Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences which expire in 2014, and that the next round of licensing is being prepared by the Government, to be accompanied by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (ref. Ministerial Statement by Ed Davey, December 2012).

Notes the recent concerns expressed by members of the public and councillors about the likely impacts of unconventional gas exploitation on Mendip’s environment, communities and economy, including the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, biodiversity, air quality, groundwater and water supplies, tourism and recreation.

Notes the recent cross-party motion adopted by Bath & North East Somerset Council which raised serious concerns about the potential impact on unconventional gas exploration and extraction, in particular in relation to the vulnerability of and risks to Bath’s hot springs, the potential impacts on AONBs, the Bath World Heritage Site and Green Belt, and water supply.

Notes that a report commissioned from the British Geological Survey by B&NES Council found that the source of Bath’s thermal waters remains unknown, and hydraulic fracturing would pose an ‘undefinable risk’ to the hot springs.

Notes a briefing by independent geologists Integrale, which concludes that unconventional gas exploitation in Mendip is likely to be ‘high risk’, with a risk of unforeseen ground conditions greater than in other parts of the UK, and that the likely impacts on communities and environment are likely to be unacceptable.

Notes that any gas development in the Mendip area would be a county matter, subject to the policies in the emerging Somerset Minerals Local Plan (particularly policy MLP12) and requiring planning permission from the county council, with Mendip District Council as a consultee.

Notes that this Council expects that a precautionary principle is applied by bodies considering the use of this technique given the importance of the area’s geology on water supply, landscapes and biodiversity, and until the impacts, localised and area wide, including knock on effects on tourism, are understood the Council will not support this form of development (ref. adopted pre-submission Mendip District Local Plan, paragraph 2.13).

Calls for detailed assessments of the environmental effects and risks of unconventional gas development in Mendip before any further decisions are made by DECC (on licensing) or Somerset County Council (on Minerals Local Plan, and planning applications).

Believes that the Council should seek to adopt whatever measures are available to control, and if appropriate prevent, the use of potentially damaging unconventional gas exploration and extraction within Mendip district.

This Council resolves to:

a. Work with Somerset County Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council, other neighbouring authorities and national Government, to examine the technical and environmental issues involved in unconventional gas development in Mendip.

b. Request that the Chief Executive and Officers ensure that this Council’s members are given the full opportunity to respond to relevant policies and planning applications that are consulted on by Somerset County Council and the Government (DECC) on this form of development.

c. Request that the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive formally register the concerns of the Council with DECC relating to unconventional gas exploration and exploitation regarding their impacts on the environment in Mendip and on Bath’s hot springs, which form in the Mendip area, to inform DECC that the Council does not currently support this form of development.

d. Request that the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive lobby DECC to ensure that the implications of licensing unconventional gas development within Mendip, are fully assessed in the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) now being undertaken by DECC’s consultants, and that this Council is consulted during the SEA, so that the highest standards of assessment and environmental protection are applied to protecting our sensitive environment.

e.  Request that the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive report back to Full Council on measures available to the Council to control and if appropriate prevent the use of unconventional gas exploration and exploitation within Mendip.

f. Request that the MPs for Mendip are asked to convey the Council’s concerns to Government Ministers.

Proposed by Cllr Adam Boyden, Frome College ward
Seconded by Cllr Bryan Beha, Street South ward

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