Fracking meeting cancelled after residents who organised it receive '˜threats'

A Q&A session was due to be held yesterday (Wednesday) for villagers in Marsh Lane, where chemical firm Ineos wants to carry out initial fracking tests.

However, there was a backlash from residents living in other nearby areas who felt they should also have been invited.

Representatives from Ineos and North East Derbyshire District Council’s Marsh Lane and Ridgeway ward representative, Councillor Michael Gordon, were also due to attend.

A notice posted through letter boxes in Marsh Lane read: “This decision has been made to protect everyone concerned and the premises where the meeting was to be held.”

Ineos wants to carry out initial fracking tests on privately-owned land just off Bramley Moor Lane.

The industry giant has been told it does not need to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and is set to submit a full planning application later this month.

Ineos said the reason it requested the meeting be restricted to residents of Marsh Lane is that the ‘village is closest to and most directly affected by the proposed well’.

A spokesman for Ineos said: “We will of course hold a further community exhibition ahead of submitting the formal planning application. We would also like to establish a Community Liaison Group and would encourage members of the Marsh Lane community to get involved.”