Secret report detailing the impacts of fracking finally fully published by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has finally released the full report detailing the possible effects of fracking after a long freedom of information battle.

A heavily redacted version of the report was originally published last year under freedom of information rules and resulted in accusations from Green MP, Caroline Lucas that the government were trying to hide the negative impacts of fracking. However, eventually the information commissioner’s office ordered DEFRA to release the report unredacted.

The Shale Gas Rural Economy Impacts paper was finally released by DEFRA on 1st July 2015 and included sections about the effect of fracking on house prices, house insurance and the environment.

It was revealed in the report that house prices in areas close to fracking wells were likely to decrease, with a potential reduction of 7% possible in areas located within 1 mile of a well.

Another section that was previously omitted from the report, highlighted that properties located within a 1-5 mile radius of a fracking site may incur higher insurance costs. It was also stated that environmental damage had been an issue due to fracking processes in the United States.

Despite the possible negatives associated with fracking, the full report goes on to highlight some of the potential benefits, such as generating employment, economic growth and an increase in energy security for the UK. It also suggests that demand for property may increase as a result of fracking-workers, which could consequently increase rents.

A further positive that the report touches upon is the possibility that local communities could benefit from investment and infrastructure. This would be due to payments that shale companies will have to pay to those nearby.

The publication of this report has caused much controversy, with Liz Truss – the environment secretary, distancing herself from it whilst labelling it as misleading and saying that it should not be released.

Caroline Lucas, a Green MP adds:

“The government has conducted itself appallingly in holding back this crucial evidence. The environment secretary should now offer a full apology to communities facing the threat of fracking and guarantee that such deceitful behaviour won’t happen again in the future,”

Ken Cronin, Chief Executive of the main industry body UK Onshore Oil and Gas says:

“It is a shame that this report has become such a cause célėbre as it is merely a review of literature and brings nothing new to the debate or any new information in a UK context.”

A DEFRA spokesman concludes:

“This document was drawn up as a draft internal discussion paper – it is not analytically robust, has not been peer-reviewed and remains incomplete.

“It does not contain any new data or evidence, and many of the conclusions amount to unsubstantiated conjecture, which do not represent the views of officials or ministers.”

The report was published just after Lancashire County Council surprisingly rejected an application for what would have been the biggest fracking installation so far.

BT                                                       www.propertysurveying.co.uk                                   17.07.15

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