The Environment Agency has launched a second period of consultation on Cuadrilla’s applications for environmental permits for the proposed shale gas exploration site at Roseacre Wood, near Elswick in Lancashire.

The Agency said it that since June has been carrying out a rigorous assessment of Cuadrilla’s applications and the comments made by the public during the first period of consultation, which closed in August. United Utilities was among the organisations consulted in the first phase of the Environment Agency consultation. Cuadrilla’s application stated that mains water, obtained from United Utilities, will be used during the activities.

Based on this assessment, the Environment Agency has said it is “minded to grant Cuadrilla the environmental permits needed to carry out their operations”. However, the Agency said it would welcome any new relevant information for consideration before making a final decision.

The draft permits set out the conditions needed to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality and to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of wastes.

One of the permits is for the management of mining waste involving waste facilities, the flaring of gas in plant with a capacity of over 10 tonnes per day and a groundwater activity. The other draft permit would allow Cuadrilla to accumulate and dispose of radioactive waste from the site.

If the permits are issued, Cuadrilla would have to follow the conditions which are intended to ensure that operations do not cause harm to people or the environment. The Environment Agency said it would rigorously enforce these conditions.

Steve Molyneux, Environment Agency Environment Manager for Lancashire, said:

“Our regulatory controls for onshore oil and gas are in place to protect people and the environment. We will not permit activities that pose an unacceptable risk.”

“This further stage of consultation is important, it gives the public and interested groups an opportunity to see and have their say on the draft environmental permits before we make a final decision.”

Deadline for submissions to the “minded to consultation” is 6th January 2015. Click here to access the consultation documents online.