This is a more lighthearted post than normal, but with a serious message. You, the reader, can take away your views on whether he is with us or against us from the farce described below. It describes a visit to the Rt. Hon Kevin Barron's surgery on 27th October by two representatives of Woodsetts Against Fracking (WAF), and their transcript is a Shakespearean tragedy which quickly turned into a comedy. Upon our arrival Sir K suggested he had already spoken with a number of an

Analysis of US fracking sites suggests pollutants including airborne particulates and heavy metals could affect neurodevelopment of babies and children. Pollutants released during fracking processes could pose a health risk to infants and children, according to researchers studying chemicals involved in shale gas operations. The extraction of shale gas using pressurised fluid – a process known as fracking – has been used commercially since the 1950s and in recent years has fu

As the unconventional oil and gas industry reels from Scotland’s recent decision to ban fracking, England now finds itself surrounded by countries that have banned the controversial practice (Scotland, Ireland, France) or have moratoria in place (Wales, Northern Ireland). And with every major UK opposition party committed to banning fracking, the industry knows it’s just one general election away from extinction. Police warn of 'substantial disruption' as four protesters bloc

ROTHERHAM councillors formally ruled out fracking on public land at a meeting earlier today. The dominant Labour group on Rotherham Borough Council had proposed a motion not to allow drilling for shale gas on council-owned or council-controlled land in the borough. Proposer Cllr Dominic Beck, whose ward is subject to fracking proposals, said: “The Labour Party commited to banning fracking in the recent 2017 General Election. “Myself and Cllr (Katherine) Wilson (who is seconde

Petrochemical company backs down after earlier refusal to the Guardian’s request to hand over the legal document A multinational firm has backed down and disclosed a legal document that it used to justify a controversial sweeping injunction against anti-fracking protesters. Ineos, which aspires to become one of the UK’s major frackers, had refused to disclose the document after it had been requested by the Guardian under open justice guidelines. However the petrochemical gian

The comment below was posted on the Woodsetts Parish Council website 2/10/17. The recent consultation process from Ineos has caused much anger and concern in the Village and the Parish Council wants to thank the residents who have mobilised and worked tirelessly on a matter they strongly believe in. The Parish Council is aware that some residents feel it has been slow to act on this matter but would like to assure all residents it is being pro-active in this matter where poss

Rotherham Council are releasing their response to the Ineos screening report now. Main message - they are not going to require a full environmental impact assessment. The Harthill application will go to a special planning board meeting end November. An application for Woodsetts is therefore likely going to be around the end of October which means our day at planning board would be early in the new year. #RMBC

Theresa May has told Calendar fracking "has a role to play" in the British energy industry after the Scottish government announced a ban on the controversial process. The prime minster said work to extract shale gas needed to be properly regulated and communities should "benefit" from the process, but she did not agree with the Scottish government's decision to ban it. Scotland's energy minister Paul Wheelhouse confirmed this week that the government will outlaw fracking. The

Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse says allowing unconventional extraction of coal and gas would put climate goals at risk. The Scottish government has banned fracking after a consultation found overwhelming public opposition and little economic justification for the industry. Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish energy minister, told MSPs that allowing fracking would undermine the government’s ambitions to deeply cut Scotland’s climate emissions, and would lead to unjustifiable enviro