INEOS Shale stops legal action following National Trust agreement to allow Geological survey at Clumber Park
National Trust originally refused permission due to concerns about shale’s impact on the environment. However, UK shale gas has a lower carbon footprint than the imports it replaces, and will help the UK to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
INEOS made a claim to the High Court in February 2018 to secure the right to undertake a geological survey on the National Trust's land at Clumber Park, Worksop. The Claim was listed for trial in May 2019.
INEOS has today stopped legal action following the National Trust decision to grant it the right to undertake the geological survey at Clumber Park.
Our agreement with the National Trust ensures the same level of protections offered to all landowners when we undertake our non-intrusive surveys, no more, no less.
Tom Pickering, INEOS Shale Chief Operating Officer said, “I am delighted that INEOS and the National Trust have now reached an agreement to allow a geological survey at Clumber Park. There is an expectation for us to survey sites within our licence areas. Whilst we will always seek to secure access through the courts if necessary, this is a last resort and we are pleased that in this case the National Trust has now recognised our legal right to survey on their land.”
The geological surveys are non-intrusive and similar surveys have previously been carried out at Clumber Park.
Tom Pickering said, “Our position has always been that the National Trust's reasons for refusing to allow the survey at Clumber Park to take place were unreasonable and that the Court would therefore grant us the right to undertake the survey. I am very pleased that the National Trust has now been reassured that the surveys are safe and pose no threat to the beautiful landscape of Clumber Park. We will ensure the surveys are carried out sensitively.”
INEOS Shale has today stopped legal action against the National Trust after both parties reached an agreement to allow a geological survey of Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. These surveys are classed as non-intrusive. They involve the use specialist trucks to create and record sound waves in order to map rocks deep underground. The condition of the land is recorded before the survey and restored to the same condition afterwards. The National Trust has been reassured by INEOS that their work will be safe and sensitive to the beautiful landscape of Clumber Park.
Earlier in the year INEOS completed the largest ever 3D seismic survey in the UK, covering more than two hundred square kilometres. Under Government licences INEOS is expected to investigate shale gas deposits in areas around the country. INEOS always tries to negotiate appropriate access with landowners. But where no agreement can be reached, INEOS can always seek court approval for access. Under the Mines (Working Facilities & Support) Act 1966 INEOS has the right to ask the court to grant it the right to carry out these surveys and the court
will do so if INEOS satisfies the legal tests, which include showing that the surveys are in the national interest.
The National Trust had previously refused permission to survey Clumber Park, due to environmental concerns. However, UK shale gas has a lower carbon footprint than the foreign gas imports it replaces. This is good for the environment as it means that shale gas will help the UK to reduce its carbon emissions.
Tom Pickering, INEOS Shale Chief Operating Officer said, “Indigenous shale gas offers the UK a once in a generation chance to control our own energy supplies and bolster our energy security. It could also generate enormous levels of investment and jobs in the North of England where they are desperately needed and will also help the UK to meet its climate change targets.
UK shale is low emission compared to other fossil fuels, it’s a proven safe technology and it’s under our feet ready to be responsibly developed. I am pleased that the National Trust has now recognised that our proposals are safe.”
ENDS
Contacts
Richard Longden (INEOS) 0041 21 627 7063 or 0041 7996 26123
Andrew McLachlan (Media Zoo) 020 7384 6980 or 07931 377162
Joseph Wade (Media Zoo) 020 7384 6980 or 07758 074576