IGas site at Ellesmere Port, 21 January 2019. Photo: DrillOrDrop
Last updated 5/10/2021
Key facts
Address: Ellesmere Port Wellsite, Portside One, Portside North, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 2HQ
Planning application: 09/02169/MIN granted 15/1/2010; 17/03213/MIN refused 25 January 2018
Appeal: reference APP/A0665/W/18/3207952
Operator: IGas
Status: Appeal against refusal for gas well test
Site (outlined in red) of the IGas Portside North well site at Ellemere Port. Source: planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council
Timeline
15 September 2021
Michael Gove to decide Ellesmere Port shale gas plans. Details
8 April 2021
Government misses deadline on decision by one year. Details
6 May 2020
Government refuses requests to release recommendations on delayed shale gas appeal. Details
23 April 2020
IGas demands answers on Ellesmere Port decision. Details
8 April 2020
Government delays decision on Ellesmere Port appeal. Details
7 January 2020
Decision by local government secretary on appeal over well test set for on, or before, 8 April 2020. Details
8 July 2019
Deadline for submission of inspector’s report set for 23 January 2020.
27 June 2019
Local government secretary “recovers” the appeal – which means the decision will be made by a minister, taking account of a recommendation by the planning inspector. Details
18 June 2019
Decision on IGas appeal delayed because of greenhouse gas reduction targets from Committee on Climate Change. Details
6 March 2019
Final day of public inquiry. Details
5 March 2019
Public inquiry resumes until 6 March. Details
26 February 2019
Public inquiry resumes until 28 February 2019. Details
24 January 2019
Public inquiry in Chester adjourned until 26 February 2019. Details
15 January 2019
Public inquiry opens in Chester on refusal of planning permission. Details
25 July 2018
IGas appeals against refusal of planning permission for Ellesmere Port. Details
25 January 2018
Cheshire West and Chester councillors vote against IGas plans for well testing at Ellesmere Port. Details
17 January 2018
Planning officers recommend approval of IGas well test application. Details
9 January 2018
More than 2,200 people object to IGas plans for well testing at Ellesmere Port. Details
14 August 2017
Council officials investigate how IGas drilled to more than twice the depth referred to in planning consent for Ellesmere Port. Details
20 July 2017
IGas gives notice of application for well test at Ellesmere Port. Details
22 December 2014
Well completion date
15 November 2014
Well spudded
23 June 2011
Discharge of seven conditions of planning permission
15 January 2010
Permission granted for drilling of two coal bed methane boreholes followed by appraisal and production
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