Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

It would seem that many councillors have been contacted about this.

No companies, which are interested in fracking in the county, have contacted Wiltshire Council’s planning department in relation to this process.

The geological structures required to support viable oil / gas production have not been found in Wiltshire to date.

The licences for fracking, which allow companies to search for and obtain the Crown’s resources are not granted by the council, but by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). These licences, alongside planning permission, must be granted prior to the company undertaking any testing to see whether oil or gas reserves are available.

After the initial licence has been granted by DECC, the company must then come to the local planning authority with responsibility for minerals and waste, for planning permission for exploration. Following this, the company must also obtain ‘well consent’ from DECC, and undertake further checks. To move beyond the exploration stage into production, planning permission must again be granted, alongside further requirements.

The government has not granted any exploration or development licences for sites within Wiltshire nor has the council received any request from potential developers to engage in pre-planning application discussions.

Any planning application on this matter would be subject to the usual consultation with the public, and councillors will be kept informed.