If you’ve been following the fracking debate, this should be of interest. This in from Kate on behalf of Greenpeace. Ed
MPs are expected to vote this week on the government’s U turn on its promise of a ban on fracking under national parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Groundwater Protection Zones, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage sites, such as the on the Isle of Wight and the North Wessex Downs And Bransbury Common.
It is likely that this area could become open to fracking after government consultation. It falls in the constituencies of Conservative MPs Andrew Turner, Caroline Nokes and Kit Malthouse.
Drilling in AONB and SSSIs
The Department for the Environment has said that drilling can take place under National Parks, as well as groundwater protection zones, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty, the Broads, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and World Heritage Sites.
The proposed regulations say that as long as fracking takes below 1,200 meters, it will be allowed, which could see these areas ringed by fracking rigs, and affected by light, air and noise pollution from lorries, generators and flaring.
Plans “ushered through parliament”
Greenpeace suggests that the controversial proposals are being ushered through parliament, rather than receiving the full level of scrutiny from MPs and the public.
Daisy Sands said:
“Flares, drilling rigs, and heavy lorries could pollute the air and scar the beautiful landscape of the Isle of Wight and North Wessex Downs. Fracking won’t cut bills for people and it’s unlikely to bring many new jobs for people who live here. But worryingly, it will knock down the value of their homes, could damage tourism and contribute to climate change.
“The government is breaking the promise that national parks would not be fracked, but they are trying to sneak these regulations through the back door of parliament without any consent from the public and without any proper debate for MPs. It is abundantly clear that this government is trying to force fracking on a reluctant nation using every trick in the book.
“People who love or live near this beautiful area, and who care about climate change will not stand for a government which is riding roughshod over democracy to industrialise our most beautiful landscapes and damage the climate.”
Greenpeace estimates that 23 MPs have constituencies that include national parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that could be affected by the new rules – these include the South Downs, Dorset, the Forest of Bowland and the Peak District.
See the Map which shows which areas might be affected.
Image: © Open StreetMap
