COUNTY councillors have made it clear they do not want to see fracking ever take place in Herefordshire. Professional consultant Kirsten Berry told this week’s general scrutiny committee meeting that there had been important changes to the plan.
“One of the key changes is in relation to unconventional hydrocarbons, fracking as it is commonly known,” she said.
“When we prepared the draft plan, national policy was very much recognising the benefits of using fracking and onshore oil and gas for transition to low carbon. “But ministerial written statement last year that intention has been removed. “I’m aware of the resolutions in Herefordshire that are against fracking and recognising from the evidence we have it looks very unlikely that you would actually experience an application for working on unconventional hydrocarbons in Herefordshire.
“So, in recognising the update in the national position we’ve taken that policy out altogether.
Councillor William Wilding said he thought a policy which said the county would never have fracking would be positive.
“We should have a policy which absolutely says no to fracking.”
However, officers told the meeting a policy specifically banning fracking could make their plan legally unsound.