Radcliffe-on-Trent oil drilling given go-ahead
Controversial plans to drill for oil in a village in Nottinghamshire have been given the go-ahead.
The Environment Agency (EA) has given Hutton Energy UK permission to drill two exploratory boreholes on land off Grantham Road, in Radcliffe-on-Trent.
Residents have said they are concerned about the environmental impact.
An EA spokesperson said conditions had been put in place to ensure a high level of protection for the environment and health.
Congestion and pollution
A public consultation was held earlier in the year, with local residents voicing their concerns.
Bev Cook, who lives on the Harlequin estate opposite where the drilling will take place, said the community was worried about environmental damage.
"I was more worried about the traffic and the potential for accidents with it being cited right next door to the A52, the added congestion, pollution.
"They're going to be using chemicals like hydrochloric acid and whilst it says they'll be contained and removed in plastic IBC (intermediate bulk containers), it's still a worry chemicals are going to be put into the ground and then extracted."
The Environment Agency said it would monitor Hutton Energy's environmental performance against the requirements of the permit and would take action if any conditions were not met.
It added if oil was found, the firm would have to apply for further permissions, before it could begin any extraction.
Hutton Energy said it would comment later on Wednesday.