Both sides of the fracking debate will come to a head in Frodsham next week.
Energy company Ineos are hosting a meeting in the town on May 10, but Frack Free Dee are expected to make their case heard outside.
The threat of fracking seemed to have died down since seismic tests were held in Frodsham and Helsby last September and October.
Ineos have now acquired licences for unconventional gas exploration/extraction in the county.
Their meeting is invite-only with parish and town councillors from Weaver Vale expected to attend.
It will be held at Frodsham Community Centre in Fluin Lane at 10am to midday.
Last month Ineos Shale operations director Tom Pickering said: “The reason for coming and doing this is, we are well used to having to come and present ourselves, having to be accountable in a local community, having to explain what we’re doing and so we want to make ourselves accessible to that.
“We do think it’s important to our business and we’re not going to shy away from that, but we believe it can be done safely.”
A Facebook event for a peaceful demonstration has been created by Frack Free Dee.
They are inviting anyone interested in supporting the show of opposition to come down with ‘banners and placards’.
There is also a new anti-fracking camp in Bridge Trafford, similar to the site in Duttons Lane, Upton.
A Frack Free Frodsham and Helsby statement said: “Companies IGas and INEOS have been granted Petroleum Exploration and Development Licenses in this area. Given recent land acquisition by IGas in nearby Bridge Trafford we feel that the threat is becoming more immediate.
“Our communities are facing further industrialisation, with negative impacts to our environment and health, and yet our MP and local Councillors are not responding to our concerns.”
Ineos is a multinational chemicals company which employs 2,000 people in Cheshire and has considerable experience of fracking in the US.
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