An area in the vicinity of Symonds Yat and a section of the Forest of Dean are among the places where fracking could take place after the government granted 159 Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences. Ross-on-Wye would fall within the ’10K potential zone of impact’ if fracking were to commence. Areas to the south of the county are now licensed for the extraction of Coal Bed Methane by South Western Energy Ltd.

Before the licensee can start operations it must apply for planning and other permissions.

However, several groups have already spoken out in opposition to the plans. The Green Party believes that fracking for shale gas or to extract coal bed methane is totally incompatible with efforts (and UK commitments) to minimise climate change. The fuel extracted by fracking is a fossil fuel, and when burnt adds carbon to the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

The drilling processes are disruptive, dirty and noisy and pose a threat to human health and to the natural environment, including water quality.

Hereford Green Party told the Ross Gazette they will vigorously oppose any applications the licensee makes for the required permissions.

The government’s decision to allow fracking in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – including the Wye Valley – is short-sighted and irresponsible, according to It’s Our County, Herefordshire Council’s largest opposition party.

The decision – rubber stamped by the House of Commons – allows fracking beneath England’s most sensitive environmental and landscape areas, providing the surface-level works are sited outside AONBs.

John Harrington, chair of It’s Our County, said: “Allowing fracking in and around the Wye Valley AONB would be short-sighted and irresponsible. Herefordshire’s farmed and wild landscapes are precious assets, and vital to tourism which brings in over £450 million per year to the local economy."