SHALE gas developments would have little visual impact on the countryside if good landscaping was used, says INEOS boss Gary Haywood.

Mr Haywood is CEO of INEOS Shale, and was speaking following a meeting with town and parish councillors about his company’s shale gas plans for the area.

The company is to operate a licence to allow it to explore for oil or gas below ground, and wells could be drilled in Cheshire in 2017 by INEOS to possibly pave the way for fracking operations.

The company has been awarded ‘acreage’ in three main areas, Yorkshire, the East Midlands and Cheshire, the latter including Northwich, Winsford and Knutsford, and launched a community consultation programme for Cheshire with a meeting in Frodsham.

“Shale gas is a contentious issue and I understand people have many genuine concerns,” said Mr Haywood.

“However there have been so many misleading claims put out about fracking, that ahead of the meeting a big part of our thinking was to try and set the record straight and dispel many of these myths.

“We also wanted to highlight the potential economic and energy security benefits this new industry could bring to the region.

“We are passionate about this subject, so want to meet people face to face to talk about it.

INEOS invited town and parish councillors to the meeting, and 75 attended.

“The meeting went well, and all the councillors, whether for or against, listened as we set out our case,” said Mr Haywood.

“In our presentation we highlighted that almost all genuinely independent scientific reports say shale gas can be produced safely, without damage to the environment.

“We explained that any shale development would be a slow, considered process, and would be science-led.

“A big part of the meeting was the Q&A at the end, which gave me and the team a real flavour of the issues driving the debate in Cheshire.

“I understood there is a real concern about how any potential shale gas developments could impact the local countryside, and reassured people that with good landscaping shale developments will have very little visual impact.

“Along with meeting the councillors there were also protestors outside the event, and at the end we took the opportunity to open a discussion with them. This is important because we need to address their concerns too.

“This meeting was a first step in our consultation programme.

“Later this year we will start our public exhibitions, where we will look to meet as many people as we can.”

Anti-fracking group Frack Free Northwich held public meetings this month at Wincham and Weaverham Community Centres, Winnington Park Recreation Club and Rudheath Social Club.

Follow the group on www.facebook.com/FrackFreeNorthwich or email FrackFreeNorthwich@gmail.com.