Would you let fracking firm test in your garden for cash?

It comes after claims the industry giant was offering between £200 and £300 to carry out fracking tests in residents’ gardens.

Chemical firm Ineos said this approach allows them to get a better understanding of the geology within an area.

An Ineos spokesperson: “We are not looking to frack in private gardens.

“As part of our programme to understand the geology across the East Midlands we are planning to acquire underground imaging data from a variety of locations.

“This activity may include placing a data receiver by agreement for a short period of time in the garden of a very small number of private properties.”

Ineos wants to carry out initial fracking tests on privately-owned land just off Bramley Moor Lane in Marsh Lane in north-east Derbyshire.

The company 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.

The Eckington Against Fracking group has said it is appealing the decision.

Chairman of Eckington Against Fracking, David Kesteven, said: “We would encourage people to reject any approach because a small amount of money will not compensate for the decrease in house prices and the amount of traffic which will be caused as a result of a gas field in your area.”

Last week a Q&A organised by residents in Marsh Lane was cancelled after they received ‘animosity, verbal abuse and threats’ from residents living in other nearby areas who felt they should also have been invited.

A notice posted through letter boxes in the village read: “This decision has been made to protect everyone concerned.”