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Energy giant INEOS had been granted planning permission for exploratory drilling prior to full-scale fracking for shale gas at Marsh Lane, near Eckington in August 2018.

A condition was attached that work must commence within three years.

That period has now elapsed, and campaigners say that a senior source at the county council’s planning services department has confirmed to action groups Eckington Against Fracking (EAF) and Coal Aston & Dronfield Against Fracking (CADAF) that they have had no contact with INEOS and that INEOS have not met any of the numerous other preconditions which were imposed.

Anti-fracking campaigners from Eckington and Marsh Lane after INEOS outlined plans to drill in the area

EAF and CADAF spokesperson Bob Street said: “INEOS were granted planning permission on condition they start work within three years, which they have failed to do.

“INEOS continue to hold the fracking licence for this area until 2024, but in the absence of any landowner consents for large-scale fracking operations, and in light of the Government’s moratorium on fracking and the fact that the issues of climate change and fossil fuel extraction are now such a political ‘hot potato’, it would seem unlikely that INEOS would be in a position to take advantage of that in the foreseeable future.

“So we can now say that we have finally beaten off the threat of this dirty, polluting and highly disruptive industry from blighting the communities of Dronfield, Coal Aston, Marsh Lane and Eckington.

“This is a landmark victory for all those who have put so much work into opposing the fracking plans, and those who have supported us over the past five years.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “Planning permission for a shale gas site at Bramleymoor Lane, Marsh Lane was granted three years ago, and has now expired. If the developer wishes to proceed then they will now need to submit a new full planning application. Our planning team have had no formal contact from Ineos regarding this site since the appeal decision was issued.”

A spokesman from INEOS added: “There is a moratorium in the UK and no activity will be progressed as long as this remains in place.”

Campaigners claim victory in Derbyshire fracking battle