INEOS: National Trust stands firm against INEOS
The National Trust was today holding to its refusal to allow geological tests on historic parkland in the face of INEOS’s move to seek a court order.
The company announced it had submitted an application to the Oil and Gas Authority for access to carry out seismic surveys at the Trust’s Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire.
If the application were granted it would allow INEOS to seek a court order for access under the Mines (Working Facilities & Support) Act 1966.
But there was no change in the Trust’s position on refusing access to the park.
A spokesperson said:
“We have been contacted by INEOS Shale with regards to carrying out investigative surveys relating to gas and shale extraction on National Trust land at Clumber Park.
“The Trust is opposed to fracking on its land and will reject any fracking requests or inquiries.
“We can see no justification for agreeing to surveying at Clumber.”
If the OGA gave INEOS the go-ahead to seek a court order, the company must prove in court that the National Trust had behaved unreasonably and that the surveys were in the national interest.
INEOS has been carrying out seismic surveying across its East Midlands exploration licences since early June. Under planning legislation, the work must be completed in six months to avoid the need for planning permission.