Site (outlined in red) of the IGas Portside North well site at Ellemere Port. Source: planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council
The public inquiry into IGas plans to test its gas well at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire will be in January next year (2019).
The hearing will last for six days, from 15-18 January and 22-23 January. It will be chaired by the planning inspector, Brian Cook. The venue has yet to be decided.
Dates have also been set for the submission of comments and evidence (see Key dates below).
IGas appealed in July 2018 against the refusal of its application to test the well at Portside North by Cheshire West and Chester Council .
The council’s planning committee voted on 25 January 2017 to refuse permission. It said the scheme did not comply with local planning policy requiring oil and gas applications to address climate change and make the best use of opportunities for renewable energy.
The Portside North well was drilled in November-December 2014. IGas has said it was not seeking to frack the well but was proposing to use acidisation to stimulate gas production. The company said the testing would be in the Pentre Chert formation, which it said was not shale.
Key dates
21 September 2018: Comments from interested parties to be sent to the Planning Inspectorate
21 September 2018: Cheshire West and Chester Council to submit its case
5 November 2018: Submission of statement of common ground
10 December 2018: Submission of proofs of evidence
21 December 2018: Submission of witnesses names and durations of statements, evidence and cross-examination
15 January 2019: Inquiry opens
23 January 2019: Inquiry scheduled to close
Comments can be made online using the reference APP/A0665/W/18/3207952. They can also be emailed to the case officer (tim.salter@pins.gsi.gov.uk) or posted to: Tim Salter, The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3J Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN.
Links
Planning Inspectorate page for the inquiry
Categories: Regulation
DRILL OR DROP? 
Will get the go ahead.. next.
Fact. Seven out of Eight plans have already been rejected…next.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/08/uk-fracking-backlash-seven-out-of-eight-plans-rejected-in-2018
Fact. Cuadrilla’s Becconsall and Singleton sites.Initial plans passed. Failed applications since. No gas extracted from proven shale deposits. Sites shut down.
And many then passed on Appeal!
Next.
Fact. First and only UK shale gas fracking development causes earthquakes and shuts down industry with no previous experience.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preese-hall-shale-gas-fracturing-review-and-recommendations-for-induced-seismic-mitigation
Fact. First shale gas planning applications passed unopposed in 2010.
Amount of shale gas produced
None
The public inquiry into IGas plans to test its gas well at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire will be in January next year (2019).
Fact.
How many oil and gas PIs have been refused John?
And the outstanding response on CBLs that you are so experienced in?
That was a success John!
Dashed to the top of the hill, and slid all the way down again. Trouble once you are on top of the hill. Rather exposed.