It’s come to light that the whole of the Isle of Wight has now been made available for companies to license oil and gas explorations rights that could lead to fracking.
The 14th Landward Licensing Round, as it’s official known, was announced by Energy Minister, Matthew Hancock on Monday (28th July).
OnTheWight have confirmed with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) that the whole of the Island is now open for companies to apply for exclusive licenses to carry out explorations for oil and gas. If those test prove their existence, drilling wells, including Hydraulic fracturing (or fracking as it’s more widely known) could follow, on further successful application.
AONB or SSSI protected?
Given Islanders cherish the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) OnTheWight asked if any of those areas would be excluded. The DECC replied:
No areas are excluded: we’re clarifying the strong protections that exist for National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and World Heritage sites.
The new guidance makes it clear that in these areas, the environmental and heritage qualities need to be carefully balanced against the benefits of shale gas and oil.
Where applications represent major development, planning permission should be refused in National Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty except in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated they are in the public interest.
The Back of the Wight already licensed
A similar license was granted in January 2012 for the South West of the Island in an AONB and a Heritage Coast.
Earlier this year, in February, an online petition to stop fracking on the Isle of Wight was launched.
What is Fracking?
If you’re looking for a greater understanding of that fracking is all about, World expert Professor Chris Rhodes gave a talk to the Island’s Cafe Scientifique in February about fracking in January.
What do you think – Good or bad?
The Business and Energy Minister Matthew Hancock says this need to happen to protect the country’s energy supply.
Do you welcome fracking to the Island?
