THE decision whether to approve fracking at four locations in Wiltshire will be the biggest decision in the county’s history, according to the chairman of Chippenham's Green Party, Tina Johnston.

A site next to Poulshot as well as locations near to Trowbridge, Westbury, Warminster and Bradford on Avon have been put forward for consultation by the government.

Ms Johnston said: “I think this is the most important thing to ever happen in Wiltshire.

“My main concern is when they are cutting into the rock they use 365 different chemicals and at least 100 of these have very serious health implications.

“There is also a risk that these chemicals could get into our water supplies and effectively poison it.

“The main problem for me is we need to be focussing on renewable energy not more fossil fuels but we’ve had cuts in subsidy for renewable energy but not for fossil fuels.

“I think an awful lot of people will be against it and it’s about people power now to make sure it doesn’t happen.”

Ms Johnston is now looking to set up a public meeting in the coming weeks to oppose the plans, with a consultation running until September 25.

The controversial process, which involves drilling into the earth to release shale gas, would be the first placed within Wiltshire if the proposed sites are granted the appropriate licences.

A total of 27 locations throughout the country were granted a licence by the Oil and Gas Authority last week, with another 132 – including those in Wiltshire – being put forward for consultation.

Dr Becky Martin, from Keep Wiltshire Frack Free, said: “It’s not just one or two wells, this industry requires hundreds and thousands of wells to make a profit, all requiring hundreds of lorries each carrying chemicals and ridiculous amounts of waste water contaminated with carcinogens and radioactive substance.”

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “Wiltshire Council is studying the consultation with interest in order to understand what this means for the county. We have not been made aware of any licencing applications made in Wiltshire.”