IGas Energy Plc (LON:IGAS) will learn whether or not it can drill two shale wells in Nottinghamshire after Westminster makes its call on Cuadrilla’s planning dispute with Lancashire County Council.
A final decision on Cuadrilla’s project, near Blackpool, is expected from Communities Secretary Sajid Javid later today.
In a brief stock market statement, after Wednesday’s close of trading, IGas told investors that the decision on its application for a two-well shale gas project in Nottinghamshire was delayed at the eleventh hour, due to a legal appeal by conservationists.
IGas wants to drill wells at the Springs Road project, formerly a Ministry of Defence missile launch site.
Whilst the group’s application had been recommended by Nottinghamshire’s planning officer, the council meeting deferred making a decision to consider a late legal representation. Conservationists claimed the proposed work would be illegal as the area is protected fenland, home to rare long-eared owls and lichen.
Nottinghamshire county council is now due to reconvene on November.
IGas’s frustrating delay is likely to fade quickly to the background, however, as attentions switch to a potentially significant decision over Cuadrilla’s disputed fracking application for a project near Blackpool.
Cuadrilla last year had its application denied, against the planning officer’s recommendation. The rejection was based on the anticipated impacts of noise and traffic.
The privately owned shale gas firm’s appeal followed, and the Department for Communities and Local Government received a Planning Inspectorate report in July.
Three months on Javid is due to make the final decision.
Earlier this year another privately owned shale group, Third Energy, was given permission for a fracking project in North Yorkshire, though the approval was followed by a request from Friends of the Earth for a judicial review which is now due to take place next month.
Javid’s decision on Cuadrilla’s plans will be closely watched on all sides of the debate, and could set the tone for nascent unconventional energy industry.