I would like to wholeheartedly endorse the letter from David Harvey (Gazette and Herald, September 3). Fracking has no place in Wiltshire, although as many readers are probably aware, the government in recent weeks has given licences for fracking to be undertaken in many parts of England, including areas around Westbury, Warminster, Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon.

An internal Defra report on fracking which was released in July after an appeal to the Information Commissioner, outlined the possible effects on rural economies such as ours in rural Wiltshire. Of particular concern are the effects on house prices and insurance, tourism, noise and pollution and the environment and traffic.

In the first extensive survey of estate agents, carried out by Redshift in May, it was estimated that tens of thousands of pounds could be wiped off the price of properties near fracking sites. The report found that 67 per cent of those interviewed suggested that: "house prices in close proximity to drilling sites are likely to fall... by up to seven per cent". Additionally two estate agents put the drop in house prices as high as 41 per cent to 70 per cent.

The Defra report stated that "property in a one to five-mile radius of fracking operations may also incur an additional cost of insurance to cover losses in case of explosions at the site."

Secondly, the Defra report highlights "Loss from tourists avoiding areas due to shale gas operations" as "shale gas development may transform a previously pristine and quiet natural region, bringing increased industrialisation. Rural businesses such as agriculture, tourism, organic farming, hunting, fishing and outdoor recreations which rely on clean air, land, water and/or a tranquil environment may also suffer."

Government figures show that in 2010, tourism in predominantly rural areas was valued at £10.7 billion. Any decline in tourism would have a massive impact on rural economies, because tourism accounts for 5.1 per cent of the total gross value added to the economy in rural areas.

Reports from the US tell of deafening noise and increased traffic congestion near fracking site plus "experience from the US indicates that leakage of waste fluids from the drilling and fracking processes has resulted in environmental damage. There is a risk that even if contaminated surface water does not directly impact drinking water supplies, it can affect human health indirectly through contaminated wildlife, livestock or agricultural products."

Again from the Defra report: "Some residents may experience deafening noise and light pollution that affects sleeping patterns" plus "noxious odours from venting gases can also impact on air quality."

In addition to the noise and pollution, there will be extremely high levels of traffic due to HGV lorries transporting heavy equipment, as sites can only be serviced by road.

It is interesting to note that the Defra report was heavily redacted and none of the information outlined above was available to the public until a request was made to the Information Commissioner, who then allowed the full report to be published.

Finally, there is already a fracking ban in France and Bulgaria, and Germany has a moratorium whilst moving towards a total ban.

As David Harvey insists, fracking is not fit to be tolerated in Wiltshire or anywhere else in the UK, despite the Prime Minister enthusiastically planning to "go all out for fracking".

YVONNE FORSEY, Blounts Court, Potterne