LANCASHIRE SHALE GAS EXPLORATION: DRILLING NOISE AND THE PLANNING PROCESS

LANCASHIRE SHALE GAS EXPLORATION: DRILLING
NOISE AND THE PLANNING PROCESS
DM Hiller Ove Arup and Partners Limited. Manchester; UK
C Cobbing Ove Arup and Partners Limited. London, UK
BJ Cox Ove Arup and Partners Limited. Manchester. UK
1 INTRODUCTION
This paper describes recent experience of undertaking a noise assessment in support of the planning application for two proposed shale gas exploration sites in Lancashire using hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as 'fracking☂. Hydraulic fracturing is a method for creating a network of small fractures in rock to enable natural gas that could not otherwise be extracted to be released
into a borehole via which it is brought to the ground surface.
This method of extracting natural gas has been widely used for many decades. the rst being in the 19405 in the US. but it has not been used to date for commercial production in the UK. Although there are many areas where the geology in the UK may be suitable for hydraulic fracturing, the technical and commercial viability is uncertain; the two Lancashire sites are exploration sites intended to be used to test the method. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was required
for each site. '
Following submission of the Environmental Statement (ES), the planning application for the Preston New Road site was refused by Lancashire County Council (LCC) on the grounds inter alia of noise. The Roseacre Wood site was refused on other grounds. but noise was also a concern for the local residents. The applications were appealed. the inquiry being held in February and March 2016. At
the time of writing. the decision to the appeal is pending.