Thanks to Lisa from Frack Free Isle of Wight for details of this urgent meeting that has been called this week. Ed
All are urged to attend a meeting that has been organised for Wednesday 23rd September, between 7-9pm at Newport Football Club, St George’s Park, St Georges Way, PO30 2QH.
Consultation deadline
This is a particularly important meeting as the current consultation on the Habitats Regulations Assessments ends on 29th September, so with very little time left to respond this will be our main focus of the evening.
The UK is bound by the terms of the EC Habitats Directive (and EC Birds Directive and the Ramsar Convention). The aim of the Habitats Directive is to conserve natural habitats and wild species across Europe by establishing a network of sites known as Natura 2000 sites. These are referred to as European sites.
Under the Habitats Directive, an appropriate assessment is required where a plan or project is likely to have a significant effect upon a European site, either individually or in combination with other projects.
Habitats Regulations Assessments were carried out nationally, including the proposed Isle of Wight licence blocks, to determine which activities of oil & gas exploration and production the government and industry consider acceptable for different areas.
Raising awareness
The findings of this assessment are debatable. We encourage everyone to come to their own conclusions on this, however the vast majority of the general public are not even aware that a consultation is taking place.
It is our aim that people are at least made aware of what is happening to give them the opportunity to respond if they so wish. The award of these licences have already been proposed, this could be the last opportunity to make our views known before this happens.
Simplifying the process
We will attempt to simplify the consultation process, and hope to have laptops available so that anyone wishing to comment on the consultation online can do so on the night, technology permitting!
Friends of the Earth have published some helpful guidelines (PDF)
We will have copies of this available on the night as well as other guidelines, suggestions and opinions we have collated from other groups and organisations.
Full details of the consultation with supporting documentation can be found on the government Website
Everyone is welcome to our meeting. This may affect all of us, and we all have a right to respond, however if anyone has specialist knowledge on European Sites, conservation groups, wildlife groups etc we especially value your input.
Get in touch
Anyone wishing to contact us please email info@frackfreeisleofwight.org or message us through our Website, our Facebook Page.
We also offer text message alerts to keep you informed of important local updates and our events. To receive these please text ALERT to 07864 668 338
