GREEN campaigners have expressed their fears that shale gas fracking may take place in Dorset.

Gas companies control six drilling licences covering south Dorset from Christchurch to Weymouth, which while they do not specify the means of extraction, would allow hydraulic fracturing to be used.

The technology, which involves cracking underground rock formations with high pressure water to extract valuable gases, including shale gas, has proven controversial due to fears over its environmental impact.

However defenders claim the technology and the shale gas it promises to provide could lead to reduced energy prices, less reliance on imported fuel and thousands of new jobs.

Angela Pooley, of East Dorset Friends of the Earth, said: “We are very concerned about the potential for fracking in Dorset, and also that new planning changes may make it difficult for local authorities to oppose planning applications.

“There are uncertainties over this technology, as we think there is a risk of contamination of water supplies, of air pollution and even of earthquakes after what happened in Lancashire.

“It will also take critical investment away from renewable energy.

“We have been asking those opposed to the Navitus Bay wind farm proposal what they would like to see instead.”

Local groups, such as Frack Free Dorset, have been set up to oppose fracking in the county.

The drilling licences are held by three companies, Egdon Resources, Perenco and NorWest Energy (NWE), which operate conventional oil and gas extraction plants, including Wytch Farm in Poole Harbour, the largest onshore oilfield in Western Europe.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood said Dorset should engage with the concept of fracking, although there was “a lot of homework to be done”.

“The process has seen energy prices plummet in the US and allowed them to reduce their energy dependency,” he said.

“But it is a matter for debate, as we saw in Lancashire it can result in minor earthquakes.”

Bournemouth West MP Conor Burns said: “Reducing our energy dependence on volatile parts of the world like the Middle East has got to be a good thing.

Councils will assess plans on merit

LOCAL authorities in Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole said they would consider planning applications for fracking in the county.

However, Poole councillor Xena Dion said much of the coastline would be protected by its Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site status.

“We understand fracking is appropriate in old shale deposits,” she said.

“However we do understand there are grave concerns relating to fracking and its association with earth tremors and instability and contamination of water supply. Any expressions of interest for fracking will be considered against these points.”

Bournemouth councillor David Smith said they were not aware of any applications in the area.

“If an application was submitted we would consider it in the normal manner and consult with residents,” he added.

Sam Fox-Adams, of Dorset Council, said the granting of licences did not infer that fracking would take place, nor do they provide rights of access and extraction.

“Organisations are required to obtain the necessary planning permissions from Dorset County Council, agreement from the land owner and drilling consents from the Government,” she said.

“Any proposal would have to comply with a number of specific polices to control the potential impacts of all minerals development.”