Councillors resolve to resist fracking process in Mendips
Civic leaders in Glastonbury have officially nailed their colours to the anti-fracking mast.
At the last meeting of the town council, a resolution was passed that they would not support fracking in the Mendip area – or anywhere else in Great Britain.
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In fracking, a mixture of water, sand and some chemicals is pumped into a well under high pressure to force the gas from the rock.
Advocates of fracking say it will end our dependence on expensive imports and protect consumers from rising prices, as North Sea gas reserves dwindle.
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But it has also been accused of causing earthquakes and pollution around the world and companies have been carrying on explorations on the Mendip Hills to see if the area has oil and gas bearing rocks.
Councillor Nick Cottle, who proposed the resolution, said: "We have two very sacred wells in Glastonbury, a spring water company and I am concerned that they could be polluted if fracking is allowed to go ahead.
"On top of that, I am worried about what it could mean for cavers and pot holers who explore beneath the Mendips, as well as the effect it could have on wildlife in the area."
Councillors Bill Knight, Steve Henderson and Jim Barron said they felt they needed more information before they could pass the resolution.
"I'd like to hear from someone who can talk in favour of fracking," Mr Barron said.
But Councillor Jon Cousins and other members of the Green party spoke passionately of the dangers of fracking, the effects it could have on the local area and the concerns of the town's residents.
In a recorded vote, eight councillors – Black, Cottle, Cousins, Forster, Keery, Michell, Knight and Tucker – voted for the proposal, while Councillors Barron, Brunsdon and Henderson voted against it.
The remaining councillors abstained from the vote.
Do you think the town council were right to refuse to support fracking?
Your views please to The Editor, Central Somerset Gazette, Southover, Wells, BA5 1UH, or email editor@midsomnews.co.uk.
2 Comments
by Yetypu
Friday, February 22 2013, 6:42PM
“This is meaningless but emotionally understandable. However, "Fracking" is a term now so widely thrown around as to be meaningless.
Is someone wishing to put in many shallow wells to tap possible gas in the old coal workings? Does someone wish to prospect deep shales with relatively few wells? Either? Both? Where?
Until this is known, giving or withholding approval has no basis in any reality.”
by Ted_F
Friday, February 22 2013, 3:48PM
“"Very sacred wells?" "disappointed cavers and pot holers?" and most telling of all a plea "to hear from someone who can talk in favour of fracking"
What are these monkeys playing at? They seem to wallow in their ignorance and think that 'touchy - feely' emotions are a substitute for hard nosed research. If they are not capable of making informed decisions, why are they wasting their time pretending to be local government councillors??”