Protectors, many from the Barton Moss Camp in Salford, have set up a new camp in Davyhulme on land owned by Peel Holdings under Barton Bridge, and close to the site where energy company IGas is seeking an extension to its planning permission for coal bed methane extraction.
The fracking company is applying to Trafford Council for similar permissions to those obtained before they started drilling at Barton Moss. At the moment a decision on the application by IGas has been delayed due to objections made on the grounds of the environmental impact the site will have.
At a planning meeting on March 12th, councillors from Trafford delayed making a decision until they could attend a technical briefing on the coal bed methane process. On top of this, Friends of the Earth has written to Trafford Council warning that it faces a legal challenge if it grants permission.
The potential fracking has led to growing concerns in the surrounding areas, and in the early hours of Monday morning an occupation of the drilling site in Davyhulme took place.
"We learnt that IGas, which has recently been involved in exploratory drilling at Barton Moss, has a view to frack this site" explained Dan, one of the protectors at the Davyhulme camp "Some concerned local residents got in touch with environmental campaigners and together, in the early hours of Monday morning, the site was taken.
"Section 6's were put up, it was lawfully occupied" he added "And the intention is to remain here, block the work and raise awareness about the nature of the industry and make sure the local community is fully aware of the dangers it could present to them."
As you enter the proposed site at Davyhulme an access road is under construction. But the occupation appears to have an immediate affect as the machinery for building the road was already being moved away.
"As you can see they are half way through building the access road to the site and now they are removing the heavy machinery, so everyone is really happy here and really proud of the partnership work from the local community and the campaigners involved" said Dan.
After their successful occupation the protectors at the camp seem keen to stay at the site and use the space to work with the local community in opposing fracking in the region.
"We urge everyone to get down to the site and learn more about fracking, learn more about what the industry is and come and resist it" Dan said "The fracking industry has a view to frack a large proportion of the North West and a lot in this area specifically. So our position here really at the moment is to stay as long as possible, raise awareness as much as we can, get as many local people involved in the campaign as possible, help out with leafleting, run local awareness raising events and generally monitor the situation and monitor the industry in this region from this site."
* Davyhulme has already seen a long running battle against Peel Holdings, led by the Breathe Clean Air Group, over an incinerator it wanted to build near the community - see previous Salford Star article - click here
To find out more about the camp or to get directions see the Davyhulme Community Protection Camp Facebook site or click here
Words and photos by Steven Speed
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