Close to 100 people gathered in Tudor Square yesterday to protest against fracking that could soon begin in Mosborough and Eckington.

It took place between 1pm and 2pm outside the Crucible Theatre, where the World Snooker Championship was being held.

The peaceful protesters wore bright yellow, banged drums and chanted “no fracking way”, between megaphone speeches from key speakers.

Marsh Lane, a small village near Eckington, has been the subject of interest from oil company INEOS, who will soon place a planning application to start exploratory drilling for shale gas.

The campaign group Eckington Against Fracking was formed in response late last year, and has since been organising protests and fundraisers, including a march in February which attracted more than 400 participants.

Coun Olivia Blake, Deputy Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “I am really proud that Sheffield City Council recently passed a motion to say that we will not allow fracking on our land.”

However, a planning application is to be placed for fracking on privately-owned land off Bramleymoor Lane, after Derbyshire Council ruled that an Environmental Impact Assessment would not be necessary.

Mosborough Against Fracking campaigners pictured at a public meeting held last week. (Image: David Craig)

INEOS is expected to submit a planning application to Derbyshire County Council no later than May 8, after which there will be a short window in which residents can raise objections.

If the council were to deny the application, their decision could be overturned by the government, as was the case in Lancashire last October.

Coun Blake added: “It is certainly disappointing that this government will continue to go against local people’s wishes. It is clear that people locally do not want fracking to happen.”