The public are being given a chance to comment on controversial fracking and other extractions of mineral resources in Gloucestershire.

The county council's draft minerals local plan will be going out to public consultation tomorrow and will run until November 24.

To comment on the plan, people can go to the webpage www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/draftMLP from tomorrow, drop into any library or visit a Gloucestershire district, city or borough council office.

Included in the draft plan is the policy on mineral extraction which includes limestone, sand, gravel, clay, coal, oil and gas.

Fracking is a method of extracting oil and gas from the ground.The process involves drilling a well then pumping water, sand and chemicals in at high pressure forcing the extraction of oil and gas.

But objectors say the possible environmental effects such as contaminating water supplies or even the triggering of earth tremors have not been properly explored. It has also been suggesting that fracking could wipe up to seven per cent off the value of homes within a one mile radius.

Possible sites where mineral extraction could be allowed to happen in the future are included within the minerals local plan. However, this does not automatically mean these sites will be used.

The county council will decided each application for extraction on its merits. Currently the council has not received any applications for fracking, but the government has granted licenses for fracking in Gloucestershire so future applications are a possibility.

Following the consultation and any subsequent amendments, the plan will be submitted to the secretary of state in late 2017 and will then undergo an independent examination.

Cllr Nigel Moor, lead cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure at Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We want to hear thoughts on this document before it is submitted to the Secretary of State.

"It's important to us that we get as many views as possible so I'd encourage people to have their say."

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