Shropshire gas drilling decision delayed again

Plans to operate a borehole for coal-bed methane extraction on a site in Dudleston, near Ellesmere, have not been included on the agenda for next week's meeting of Shropshire Council's north planning committee.

The controversial proposals put forward by Dart Energy were due to be discussed in October but were delayed to gather more information after councillors indicated they intended to refuse planning permission. A firm date for discussion has not yet been set, but talks will take place at a future meeting of the north planning committee.

Chris Hesketh, leader of campaign group Frack Free Dudleston, said: "It is quite positive in some ways, because the applicant Dart Energy might give some more information and we always need time to look at that before it goes straight to committee.

"I fully support the letter from the council asking for more information – it is entirely reasonable to ask for more detail."

The energy firm released a letter earlier in the week claiming it had provided enough information that there would be no reason to refuse the plans.

But despite the ongoing delay in a final decision, Mr Hesketh said the group would continue to campaign against the plans.

He said: "We will campaign right until the end.

"The community around here is very active and very united. There are a number of reasons why we should believe that this will get turned down.

"I don't count my chickens, there have been many twists and turns in this process, but I refuse to be complacent.

"But not providing more information to make this a socially and environmentally acceptable scheme, Dart isn't doing itself any favours."

The application was minded for refusal at October's planning meeting but still awaits a final decision.