Bill Esterson concerned about a Petroleum Exploration and Development licence for land in Formby

Local Labour MP, Bill Esterson has expressed concern at the news that the government has granted a Petroleum Exploration and Development licence for land in Formby and Lydiate. The licence was granted by Conservative ministers at the Department for Energy and Climate Change and Mr Esterson pointed out that he was notified by Aurora Energy, the holder of the licence, not by the government.

Concerns have been voiced in Formby and in Lydiate about the safety of fracking and Bill Esterson MP and his Labour colleagues have previously called for more evidence to be presented before licences are granted.

Labour MP Bill Esterson said, “Many residents are concerned at the potential impact of fracking. That is why Labour has said we oppose it until the science shows it can be carried out safely. There are also concerns about the impact on the environment. So I was frankly gob smacked to receive a letter out of the blue from Aurora Energy informing me they were about to carry out a survey of the area, and more to the point that the Conservatives had given them a Petroleum Exploration and Development licence for parts of Formby parish. We know that the Conservatives want fracking to go ahead in our area because government ministers, including Chancellor George Osborne’s father in law, have said so. There are clear financial links between some energy companies and the Conservatives.

The Conservative Councillors in Sefton, the Lib-Dems who supported them in government and continue to support them in Sefton, and the independents who vote with the Conservatives on Sefton Council, really should take a long hard look at what their party is doing to Formby. Allowing Petroleum Licences, along with letting developers run riot in the countryside,

ignores the wishes of the local community. Yet this is exactly what the Conservatives and their allies in Formby are doing. And I am afraid that the Conservatives, Lib-Dems and Independents on Sefton Council who all vote together need to recognise that they are backing a party in government that is taking some very serious risks with our environment; both with their support for fracking and also through the way they are just letting developers do what they want where they want.”

“I shall be asking ministers for an explanation about how the Petroleum Licences were given and also asking Aurora to discuss their plans with me.”