Public meeting in Keynsham hears concerns about gas drilling plans

More than 100 residents attended a meeting at Keynsham's Royal British Legion last night to hear about plans to drill for gas on the outskirts of the town.

Transition Keynsham set up the 'Coalbed Methane vs Renewable Energy' meeting in response to the planning application by UK Methane Ltd.

The firm wants to drill a borehole to test for the viability of coalbed methane production on land at Durley Hill. 

The meeting heard about the drilling scheme and concerns about the environmental effects of extracting coal bed methane gas and how it fits in with other forms of gas extraction, such as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

During the meeting, the film 'The Sky is Pink', which raises concerns about the risks from drilling for onshore gas, was shown.

The meeting also heard about alternative and viable forms of energy for Keynsham, such as the installation of solar panels on public buildings and the option of hydro-electric power on the River Avon, as proposed by Transition Keynsham.

No one from UK Methane was at last night's meeting to explain the company's plans which involve round-the-clock testing.

The deadline for people to have their say on the planning application is November 12 and Bath & North Wast Somerset Council aims to make a decision by December 7. The planning application number is 12/04304/FUL.

There is also an online petition which has hundreds of signatures opposing the drilling scheme.