By Isle of Wight ObserverAfter a protest outside County Hall on Wednesday afternoon (September 19), anti-fracking campaigners hailed a victory at the full council meeting.
Protestors asked the council support a motion to oppose government plans to change planning law that could lead to fracking on the Island – the motion was passed by the council.
A spokesman for Frack Free Isle of Wight said: “We are delighted that our council supported a motion to oppose government plans to change planning regulations to allow the oil and gas industry ‘permitted development’ rights to drill exploration wells without Local Authority planning permission across vast areas of the England including our island.
“This is usually used for simple projects like putting up a garden shed or changing a garage door.”
Sylvia May, a member of Frack Free Isle of Wight said: “Fracking is an untried and untested method of extraction. There have only been two wells drilled in the UK since 2003 – we’ve got lots of evidence from abroad that it’s detrimental to the environment.
“Fracking is not an answer to the future.”
Sylvia MayFrack Free Isle of Wight has urged Island residents to object to the government’s proposals.
Comments on the consultation can be made here until October 25.
More information on fracking and the government’s changes can be found on the Frack Free Isle of Wight’s website: https://www.frackfreeisleofwight.org/
