HAMPSHIRE County Council this week issued reassurances on fracking, as the Government opens up the bidding process for companies seeking licences to drill for on-shore oil and gas. Licences to frack in Hampshire have already been granted by the Department of Energy and Climate Change. These are all over the county, including one square of land which covers Whitehill and Bordon, much of Alton, Petersfield and Liss. But this does not give companies carte blanche to start mining, as they would still need to apply for permission from the county council which would consider the proposal against its minerals policies on a "case-by-case basis". Now, with bidding for applications running until October 28, it is possible more areas might receive attention from energy companies looking to explore shale gas possibilities. For full story, see this week's Bordon Herald.