Gas company submit application to install 12 monitoring boreholes on land between Doncaster and the Isle

The proposed development would involve drilling of up to 12 boreholes across four locations, to monitor groundwater. The drilling would be undertaken over a period of up to two weeks in each location, and would take place between 7am and 7pm with no drilling on weekends or Bank Holidays.

In May a scoping request was submitted by Island Gas Limited to Nottinghamshire County Council for exploratory shale gas drilling, in relation to the same site.

The planning application for the monitoring boreholes is associated with exploratory shale gas drilling, and would help establish existing groundwater conditions. The boreholes would be monitored for a period of at least 12 months, and may be required for a longer period depending on the outcome of any future exploratory drilling application.

Sally Gill, Planning Manager from Nottinghamshire County Council says: “The Infrastructure Act 2015 includes a requirement for the level of methane in groundwater to be monitored for a period of 12 months before any associated hydraulic fracturing – which would require a separate planning application - can begin.

“The proposed development would assist IGas in collecting the necessary monitoring information”.

The monitoring borehole application has now passed through the validation process. The development has been advertised and statutory bodies and relevant local organisations have been consulted.

There is also be the opportunity for the public to comment by visiting the County Council’s planning website at www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planningsearch/plandisp.aspx?AppNo=F/3321 , emailing [email protected] or by writing to Nottinghamshire County Council, Development Management, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP.

For further background information on shale gas exploration, the planning process and other types of oil and gas extraction in Nottinghamshire, visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/shalegas