I AM writing about the threat to the Bowland Fells as indicated by comments made by Sir Nicholas Soames at a mid-Sussex constituency hustings last week. Bowland is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is an important drinking water catchment, so it SHOULD be exempt from fracking. The Infrastructure Act, allowing drilling anywhere below us, except in such exempted areas, was pushed through Parliament in late winter.

However some uncertainty remains as the Coalition government minister subsequently altered proposals, stating that drilling could go ahead in “special circumstances”.

Let’s hope it’s just an unpleasant NIMBY comment from Soames and not some kite flying indicating an intention to let fracking companies invade AONBs and National Parks.

Muriel Lord (via email)