Gas extraction fears

Around two hundred people turned out to a meeting in Canonbie last night to discuss controversial plans to use fracking to extract underground gas around the village.

Local people fear it will cause environmental damage and affect tourism. The developer says it could create jobs and boost the economy.

A public meeting is taking place in Canonbie tonight to discuss plans to extract underground gas around the village.

Local people fear the process will cause environmental damage and affect tourism. But the group behind the plan say it will bring jobs and money into the local community.

Ryan Dollard reports:

Di Bedham lives in the village of Canonbie in Dumfries and Galloway.

She is among several hundred people worried about Buccleuch Estates' proposals for coal and gas extraction in the area:

Bob Frew is the spokesperson for the Canonbie Residents Against Coal Development group.

He is asking for landowners Buccleuch Estates to review their proposals:

“We are aware that communities are largely ignored or trampled in the context of the 'dash for gas' even though respected economists, and industry experts recognise that it will have no significant impact on the cost of energy to consumers.

"The messages from this survey are very clear.

“We therefore call on Buccleuch Estates to fundamentally review these proposals, and offer assurances to local people that they will not permit Dart Energy to utilise the existing planning consents.

“We further call on Buccleuch to enter into meaningful discussion with local groups, businesses and individuals, and in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council to identify alternative, sustainable economic development opportunities.”

Locals in the village of Canonbie, near Langholm, are rejecting proposals for a new coalfield to extract gas and coal.

Out of the 400 people who took part in a recent survey, almost 97% were against the proposals.

Landowners Buccleuch Estates, in partnership with Dart Energy and Keir, have major plans to open the unconventional gas and opencast coal resources in and around the village.

It has been estimate that more than 400 million tonnes of coal lies below the ground in the area, but residents fear that 'fracking' may also be carried out.