CONCERNS have been raised that a controversial method of extracting shale gas could be introduced in the Sharpness area after land was ear-marked as a potential site.

The ‘block’ which is mostly comprised of land on the opposite side of the River Severn but includes Sharpness, Purton and Halmore, amongst others, was one of 132 identified as potential sites for fracking – subject to environmental assessments.

As well as the 132 blocks identified in England, 27 were formally offered to companies by the government on August 18.

Fracking is much more widely used in the USA and the government says that it could create tens of thousands of jobs as well as “providing a cost-efficient bridge to lower-carbon energy use.”

However critics say that chemicals used in fracking could contaminate water around the site and that the process could cause damaging seismic activity – particularly in environmentally sensitive areas.

 Cllr Liz Ashton (Lab, Berkeley and Sharpness) criticised the plans as “short term” and as disregarding “for the future of the planet”.

She said: “We were told that it was very unlikely that fracking would happen locally and they say now that licences are being issued for exploration only at this stage.

“However, we know that oil companies are not going to put money into exploration if there’s no likelihood of making any money out of the site and the fact that the area has been included tells its own story.

The MP for Stroud, Neil Carmichael, has defended a comment he made last year to the Stroud News and Journal.

In February 2014 he said: “There is no need to worry about fracking in Gloucestershire. It absolutely won’t happen, but I do think we have a duty to the people living now and in the future to lower energy costs and fracking in this country could achieve that.”

However, speaking to the Gazette he explained: “This does not confer any consent, approval or permission to carry out specified development activities – all activities, such as drilling, will necessarily require further consents, including planning permission and environmental permits. 

“Without wishing to prejudge anything, as I have said before, I would be surprised if any serious applications for fracking locally came forward in the foreseeable future.”

Cllr Ashton slammed the government for its stance on fracking.

 “It’s all short term and blow the consequences from a morally bankrupt government that cares nothing for the future of the planet or the people who live here,” she added.

As part of the site selection process the potential impact on designated wetlands areas, known as Ramsar sites, was investigated. As part of this assessment the Severn Estuary area (which includes WWT Slimbridge) was looked at and it was concluded that activities carried out at depth (so that effects do not register at the surface) “are not considered likely to result in AEOI (adverse effect on integrity)”.

Cllr Ashton also raised concerns about the effect fracking could have on the area.

“The area is very sensitive,” she said. “We’ve got the wildfowl trust (WWT Slimbridge) just down the road but we’ve also got Berkeley power station which has an underground vault with waste nuclear material. I’d be worried about the effect the seismic activity could have.”

As part of the site selection process the potential impact on designated wetlands areas, known as Ramsar sites, was investigated.

During the assessment the Severn Estuary area (which includes WWT Slimbridge) was looked at and it was concluded that activities carried out at depth (so that effects do not register at the surface) “are not considered likely to result in AEOI (adverse effect on integrity)”.

In a statement, the Oil and Gas Authority - the UK’s oil and gas regulator - said:

“A first group of 27 onshore blocks were formally offered to companies and a second group of 132 further blocks has been subjected to detailed assessment under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.

“The new block near Sharpness falls into this second group requiring detailed assessment and therefore has not been offered to companies at this stage.

“The findings of this assessment are now out for consultation.

“Subject to the outcome of that consultation, the OGA will announce offers for the second group of licence blocks later in the year.

“The licences for all offered blocks will then be granted after the terms and conditions have been finalised. 

“When licences have been awarded, companies will first require consent from the landowner, the local authority, the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and the OGA before proceeding with oil and gas exploration operations.”

The consultation document is available at http://bit.ly/1K5f6fY. The consultation period closes on September 29.