Public meeting over shale gas drilling plans agreed

Ineos wrote to Harthill with Woodall Parish Council in August requesting permission to carry out seismic testing at sites across the village — including three owned by the council.

Cllr Ian Lloyd, parish council chairman, said the company wanted to carry out exploratory works on three areas of public land.

But he said the council would not make a decision until Ineos had held a meeting in the village, which has now been arranged for Monday.

He said: “Ineos are sending a speaker to come and talk to anybody who wants to come along.

“It’s a meeting that’s open to anybody who wants to come. We want as many people as possible to come.

“We thank Ineos for holding the meeting and want to listen to what they have to say and then open it up for questions from people.”

Cllr Lloyd said Ineos wanted to carry out work on Spen’s Field, just off Woodall Lane, and a council allotment site.

The meeting will take place at Harthill Village Hall, on Monday, October 17, from 7pm.

Cllr Lloyd said the parish council would then discuss fracking at its next meeting on Tuesday, November 8.