Government 'trying to sneak through rules to allow fracking beneath national parks'

The Cuadrilla exploration drilling site in Balcombe, West Sussex Credit: PA

Campaigners have accused the government of trying to "sneak through" new regulations which could lead to fracking in protected areas such as national parks.

Environmental group Greenpeace said ministers were playing "fast and loose with democracy" by putting the new rules to a cross-party committee of just 18 MPs, before going to a vote in the Commons without a debate.

They claim the new regulations are a U-turn on a coalition decision to accept Labour moves to tighten the guidelines around fracking.

As long as drilling takes place more than 1,200 metres (3,937ft) below ground, the new rules could open the door to fracking beneath national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and World Heritage Sites.

Meanwhile, sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) - which are designated for their important wildlife or habitats - would not be given any protection at all.

Greenpeace has argued these important environmental areas risk becoming spoiled by shale gas and oil wells surrounding their edges, as well as noise and light pollution.

Lake Buttermere in the Lake District is a national park, which is among those which could be put at risk by fracking, campaigners say Credit: PA

It comes after wildlife charity the RSPB warned there were 293 SSSIs included in the 159 onshore oil and gas licence blocks recently offered by the government.

Fracking involves drilling vertically deep underground and then horizontally out from the vertical well, before pumping high pressure liquid into shale rock to fracture it and release gas.