Drilling Near Dover Draws Opposition

A Welsh based firm has made application for planning permission to conduct an exploratory bore hole in the village of Woodnesborough, situated about one and a half miles west of Sandwich, near to Dover.

Coastal Oil & Gas has applied in April to Kent County Council for permission for a temporary change of agricultural land for approximately 12 weeks to allow for drilling of an exploratory borehole to test the coals, Lower Limestone Shale and associated rock strata.

The application is drawing concern from local residents and environmentalists.

Coastal says that it is seeking to establish the possibilities of coal bed methane development, but did not rule out shale gas extraction.

"We are trying to take samples to look at the quantity of gas held in the coal and whether we can extract it at a later date," said director Gerrin Williams.

Kent Green Party spokesman Steve Dawe said it believed that if gas were found in shale at the site, Coastal would later seek to remove it using the controversial method of hydraulic fracturing.

Rosie Rectcher, coordinator with the local activist group Deal With It, expressed concerned about the potential impact of fracking on the local water supply. “Given we live in one of the most arid parts of the country we should not be taking risks with our water supply,” said Rectcher.  “We do not need shale gas in Kent. We call upon the Kent County Council to reject the application.”

Mr. Williams said he understood concerns about fracking but it would be two or more years before drilling shale could be considered.

"It would have to be proven absolutely safe first before we would even think about it," he said.

Kent County Council said it was taking comments about the application, which would not be considered before 26 July.

"Any future proposals to exploit any gas would require a fresh planning application," it said in a statement.

"This would require significant additional work, including the need for a formal environmental impact assessment, extensive consultation, and would be subject to the full rigours of the planning process.

Coastal, together with Australian Eden Energy, had also made application for permission to drill a test borehole for shale gas in part of the rural Vale of Glamorgan in Wales.

Source: BBC News