Parish councillors in the area picked by INEOS for what could be its first shale gas planning application have voted unanimously against the proposals.

The company has identified a site in Eckington parish, in north east Derbyshire, where it wants to drill a vertical exploratory well.

Dozens of villagers attended an extraordinary parish council meeting last night (24/1/2017) called to discuss the proposals.

The council chairman, Brian Ridgway, said:

“I make no apologies in saying that you have stepped into a political battle. This is a political battle and you will need friends. There is a long way to go and you have my future support.”

Earlier this month, INEOS submitted details about its proposals to Derbyshire County Council, which will make the final decision on a full application, expected at the end of the month.

Eckington Parish Council will be consulted on the application and a spokesperson confirmed this morning that it would object.

The company said it would seek permission for five years for the site off Bramleymoor Lane, between Marsh Lane and Apperknowle. A company spokesperson said the plans did not include fracking.

In documents to the county council, INEOS said it did not believe the application needed to include an environmental impact assessment.

Cllr Ridgway told last night’s meeting:

“It is my intention to stand up in the county council chamber and speak up against fracking.”

The meeting also heard from eight-year-old Oliver Greenwood, who read out a letter he had sent to the Prime Minister. In it he urged Theresa May to block fracking in Eckington.  (See DrillOrDrop report)

A petition against fracking in the village has attracted more than 65,000 signatures. A government petition on the same issue has more than 1,300 signatures.

Local events

Several events about fracking and shale gas are planned in Eckington in the next few days.

Thursday 26 January 2017

Are we going to be fracked? Anti-fracking presentation, 7.30pm, Green Lawns Community  Centre, 8 Warren Walk, Marsh Lane, Derbyshire S21 5RX. Details

Tuesday 31 January 2017

INEOS exhibition, 2pm-8pm, Green Lawns Community Centre, 8 Warren Walk, Marsh Lane, Derbyshire S21 5RX. Details

Alternative exhibition: The truth about fracking, 2pm-8pm, Marsh Lane Community Centre, Main Road, Marsh Lane S21 5RH.  Details

Links

DrillOrDrop review of INEOS’s Bramleymoor Lane proposals