Fracking plans for Sherwood Forest

Members of Frack Free Nottinghamshire are appealing against a consultation on future drilling for oil and gas extraction between Worksop and Newstead, and between Creswell and Tuxford.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change has launched a consultation for comments, after the area was listed as somewhere fracking for shale gas could take place if approved.

The government is proposing to license exploration in the area, except a portion of the land which is protected ancient woodland around the Major Oak, known as Birklands and Bilhaugh Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Members of the Frack Free Nottinghamshire group believe fracking will not be good for the area.

Group member, Helen Mitchem, said: “Evidence shows that fracking operations are very intensive and highly disruptive to human, animal and plant life, so we would urge local residents and businesses to oppose the government’s proposals to allow prospecting for oil and gas to penetrate this very sensitive area.”

Greg Hewitt, also a member, added: “Robin Hood would certainly have defended Sherwood Forest, and so must the people of Nottinghamshire.”

The group have organised an awareness day at 12pm at The Major Oak on International Robin Hood Day, Saturday, October 17.

More details and the consultation can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/habitats­regulations­assessments­of­14th­onshore­oil­and­gas­licensing­round

The consultation is open until September 29.