Fracking firm looks to drill in Derbyshire countryside

Steps are being taken by oil and chemical firm INEOS towards applying for planning permission to explore shale gas reserves by drilling on an area of land in North East Derbyshire.

The land is privately−owned, off Bramleymoor Lane, between the villages of Apperknowle and Marsh Lane, near Eckington.

INEOS was reported over the Christmas period expressing an interest in carrying out geological imaging surveys across its licence area in the East Midlands, which is 2-3 km below Sherwood Forest.

Derbyshire County Council’s strategic director for economy, transport and communities, Mike Ashworth said: “If INEOS applies for planning permission to carry out further investigations at this site it would be the first application of its kind in Derbyshire.

“The county council has a legal obligation to decide on planning applications about fracking in Derbyshire.

“Our planning committee considers each planning application on its individual merits and is impartial. As with any other planning application, each planning decision it makes is based on objective analysis of evidence, taking into account local and national planning policies and the relevant comments of official consultees − such as parish councils − and the public.”

He added: “We’re committed to making information available to the public on our website every step of the way throughout the planning process.”