A LACK of transparency and neglect by some Wiltshire councillors means that a public consultation into fracking should be extended, according to the chairman of Chippenham’s Green Party, Tina Johnston.

Four sites across Wiltshire, including near Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury, were put forward by the government as potential areas for the controversial process, with the consultation finishing on Tuesday morning.

Ms Johnston believes not enough was done to bring the consultation to the public’s attention though and that councillors are to blame.

She said: “It’s a seriously flawed consultation, it’s supposed to be a public consultation but no one has seen it.“Very few of the Wiltshire councillors let their councils or people from their parishes know about it. It’s a very odd situation and I’m demanding it’s extended so that more people have the chance to answer.

“It’s almost like a secret public consultation and there has been a lack of duty of care by a lot of Wiltshire councillors because they’ve neglected their duty to make people aware of it.”

The Oil and Gas Authority, who were responsible for the consultation, were asked to comment on whether they plan to extend the consultation period but did not reply.