Exploratory Shale Gas Application Approved by Nottinghamshire County Council

Nottinghamshire County Council has approved the first exploratory shale gas application the East Midlands. Councillors voted 7-4 in favour of the application from IGas for a site near Misson in the Bassetlaw are, but have laid down 40 conditions that must be met for the work to go ahead, including independent checks on water levels in a neighbouring nature reserve and strict air quality and noise monitoring. IGas predict that they will start drilling in the second half of 2017. The permission does not allow for fracking but IGas could apply for this later. Local groups who opposed the decision are currently considering their options for appealing it.

Meanwhile, a second application, for Tinker Lane between Blyth and Barnby Moor, has recently received an Environmental Agency permit and will be considered by the council on 20th December, or at a standalone meeting near this date

In Derbyshire INEOS have announced they will be submitting planning applications in Derbyshire, probably in North East Derbyshire, before the end of the year. INEOS recently held a briefing for the public in Shirebrook.