THE county’s police and crime commissioner has raised concerns that plans to test flow a ‘fracking’ well in Ellesmere Port could cost the force a fortune if approved.
David Keane wrote to planning inspector Brian Cook as part of the ongoing public inquiry into IGas’s application for its Portside site.
It had cost a staggering £250,000 to police the eviction process at another of the company’s sites in Upton, Chester, in 2016 when anti-fracking protesters faced off against bailiffs, he said.
If permission was granted for a ‘flow test’ in Ellesmere Port it could create a similar scenario and put significant pressure on Cheshire Police resources.
The eviction of the Upton fracking camp in 2016.
Mr Keane wrote: “My concerns are based upon a previous factual scenario and the resources utilised – namely the ‘Upton operation’ back in 2016.
“The policing resource required in the Upton operation required over three months of intensive planning. The period of the operation itself required over 200 police officers and incurred a cost of over £250,000 to the public purse and both took away from other policing requirements in Cheshire as well as requiring mutual aid and support from neighbouring police services.”
Cheshire police and crime commissioner David Keane.
He added: “I am concerned of the likely implications if the development concerned proceeds. I am concerned that these could be similar to (or possibly in excess of) those described above and the impact that this could have for a police service where public demand regularly outweighs available resources.
“Public safety is our shared priority and substantial resources are required to ensure this can be effectively delivered in circumstances such as those referred to above. I have great concern whether Cheshire Police could substantially resource this type of situation given the pressures already placed on daily policing demand.”
Policing the anti-fracking camp eviction in 2016.
In response, a spokesman for IGas stressed that the Portside site is now covered by a High Court injunction banning protesters from the area.
She said: “When IGas drilled the well at Ellesmere Port in 2014 there was very little impact on the police service compared to the Upton eviction.
“The Ellesmere Port site is now covered by a high court injunction which prohibits conduct including trespass, unlawful interference with access and obstruction of the highway (including by slow-walking, lock-ons and lorry surfing).
“It is a matter for the local Police Authority to assess the policing requirements needed to support lawful operations.”
It cost £250,000 to police the Upton camp eviction.
The public inquiry is being held at Chester Town Hall and is due to end on Wednesday or Thursday next week.
It came about after IGas appealed against a decision by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s planning committee to refuse permission for the ‘flow test’ in Ellesmere Port.
Councillors overwhelmingly rejected the plan on the grounds that it failed to mitigate the impact on climate change.
Protesters outside the town hall ahead of the inquiry on Monday.
Evidence is being heard from witnesses for both IGas and the council before the planning inspector makes up his mind.
The inquiry is the first in the UK to look into the impact of an onshore gas site on climate change.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here