estott@thekmgroup.co.uk

A Green Party councillor has challenged Sandwich MP Laura Sandys over comments she made about fracking in Woodnesborough.

Cllr Ian Driver, of Thanet District Council, has accused the MP of being “clueless about fracking” after he contacted her to state her views on the issue.

According to Cllr Driver, Laura Sandys denied that there was any possibility of fracking in her constituency.

He said: “I am at a loss to understand how an MP who claims to have green credentials can be so fracking clueless about what is happening in her own backyard, especially something as important as this.

“Coastal Oil and Gas Limited hold four current licences granted by the Department of Energy and Climate Change to explore for shale gas in Laura Sandys’ constituency.”

Cllr Sandys said: “Locally, there is no likelihood that there will be any fracking across my constituency. What has been granted is an exploratory bore hole at Woodnesborough.

“This has little relation to the likelihood of fracking, but aimed to test if the tail of a seam in mid Kent would reach as far as our area.

“The licence given in 2011 for exploration bore holes was never exercised by the company so even mid Kent is not seen as a very promising opportunity in terms of shale reserves.”

Ms Sandys added that there is no pain-free energy generation and all sources have planning, price and carbon, positives and negatives.

Cllr Driver said: “She has now made a major U-turn and decided to support fracking, which is totally at odds with her previous support for all things green.

“Like many of her constituents, I am very disappointed by Laura’s statement.”