Fracking firm's Woodsetts proposal rejected for second time

Rotherham Borough Council officers recommended the 2,800-metre exploratory well at Woodsetts be approved for chemicals company Ineos.

But the planning board turned down the second application for the same reasons — highway safety and a lack of environmental information.

There had been about 650 objections, the board meeting heard this morning (Friday).

A spokeswoman for Woodsetts Against Fracking said: “Although almost identical to the first application submitted, which was voted against unanimously in March, Ineos were intent on pursuing their case with little regard for local opinion.

“The new application received hundreds more written objections than the original and local people were determined it would not go ahead.”

Members voted by seven to five against the application.