“We won’t subject borough to fracking hell”: Barnsley Council backs motion to oppose fracking across the borough
Barnsley Council has voted to adopt a formal position to oppose fracking on any land within the borough after a motion was approved at a full council meeting on Wednesday (November 27).
The motion, proposed by Councillor James Higginbottom and seconded by Councillor Kevin Osborne, sets out concerns about the potential environmental and social impacts of hydraulic fracturing. It notes that a number of exploratory licences issued in 2015 covered areas including Ardsley, Elsecar, Grimethorpe, Worsbrough, Royston, Thurnscoe and Barnsley town centre.
Proposing the motion, Cllr Higginbottom said residents had expressed anxiety about the possibility of future shale gas exploration.
Cllr Higginbottom told the meeting that the motion reflected the ‘real worries and concerns’ of residents.
“They’re worried that the dangerous and damaging processes used to extract fossil fuels…pose a risk to their security.”
He added that the ‘moratorium alone does not provide their assurance to residents who are worried about what the future holds. That’s why we need a full, permanent ban enshrined in law.
“It cannot come soon enough for homeowners worried about whether their mortgage is at risk. It cannot come soon enough to protect our water supplies and reduce the risk of earthquakes.”
Seconding the motion, Cllr Osborne told councillors: “This debate is about more just opposing fracking. It’s about standing up for Barnsley, its people, its places and its future.
“Fracking is not progress, it’s a risk. It’s a risk to our water, our air, our land and our well being. Barnsley Council has already taken a stand, we’ve said no to fracking on council owned land. Today, we go further. We say no to fracking anywhere in our borough, not because it’s unpopular, but because it’s unsafe, unsustainable and unnecessary.
“Fracking increases the risk of flooding, contaminates water supplies, pollutes the air and causes tremors and earthquakes.
“Reform UK openly supports fracking and opposes investment in renewables. That’s not just a policy difference, it’s a values difference. Their approach is reckless and out of touch with the needs and wishes of communities like ours.
“Barnsley won’t be fracked. Barnsley won’t be fooled. Barnsley will be heard. We will not subject our borough to a fracking hell.”
The motion refers to the lifting of the national moratorium on fracking by the Conservative government in 2022, and states that without a permanent prohibition, applications could re-emerge under a future administration. It also cites research by Friends of the Earth indicating that areas within the Barnsley North, Barnsley South and Penistone & Stocksbridge constituencies could be affected by potential fracking activity.
A separate amendment, tabled by the Liberal Democrat group, sought to strengthen the motion by adding references to national energy policy, arguing that fracking would not lower household bills, and calling for the council to urge ministers to back plans to decouple electricity prices from gas. The amendment was debated but ultimately voted down by the majority group.
Although Councillor Hannah Kitching, leader of the Barnsley Liberal Democrats said she was ‘disappointed’ that the amendment was lost, her party did vote for the Labour motion, which was passed following a vote.