This in from Vix Lowthion, leader of the Isle of Wight Green party. Ed
Isle of Wight Green Party wish to thank the IW Council and Cllr Medland (Freshwater South) for passing yesterday evening’s motion regarding firming up the planning regulations for Oil and Gas exploitation on the Island (read our live coverage. Ed).
We welcome the Council taking a stand on this issue which concerns a growing number of Island residents. The licences for the Oil and Gas companies to exploit our countryside were awarded last month, and there is a very real possibility in the near future that planning applications will be made.
Government’s pre-determination
The Conservative Government are pushing Fracking as a source of energy – to the extent that the Secretary of State for Local Government has over-ruled councillors in Lancashire and refused to allow the community and local Council to make the decision whether to allow fracking or not.
Vix Lowthion, leader of IW Green Party said
“I am disappointed that eight councillors abstained and voted against this motion. It merely equips our planning department with more robust regulations when dealing with Oil and Gas exploitation. Some councillors expressed the fact that they did not feel they had enough knowledge about Fracking to vote.
“After a year of fracking motions being presented to council, national headlines and letters written to them by concerned Islanders, I despair that any elected officials have not educated themselves better.
“The people of the island must unite against bringing fracking to the Isle of Wight.”
There will be a gathering of residents concerned about fracking on Sunday January 31st at 10am at Hanover Car Park, Military Road.
Image: Green MEP Keith Taylor with fracking flavoured water by greensefa under CC BY 2.0
