ANTI-FRACKING campaigners are warning law changes could see energy firms drilling for gas under Salisbury homes, ahead of a crucial vote in parliament on Monday.

The government’s Infrastructure Bill would allow companies to drill for shale gas 300m below people’s property without their permission.

But in May last year the British Geological Survey found there was no potential in fracking for gas in the Weald Basin region of southern England, which includes Salisbury. The survey concluded: “No significant gas resource is recognised because the shale is not thought to have reached the geological maturity required to generate gas.”

Despite the findings, a campaign on the petition website 38degrees.org.uk said: “Unless these plans are stopped, gas could be sucked from under your home very soon.

“Let’s make it clear that backing dirty energy companies over constituents would be a toxic move.”

MP John Glen played down fears, saying: “This change does not detract from the fact that any company seeking to exploit shale gas resources will need to pass some of the toughest regulatory checks in the world, including permission from the Environment Agency to confirm there is no impact on water.”

He added that the areas proposed for licensing by the government were “not a clear indication of where shale gas exploration may take place”.

The petition, which so far has more than 130,000 signatures, will be handed to MPs before Monday’s report-stage debate.

Concerned Salisbury voters joined a national social-media campaign this weekend in a final bid to stop the bill being passed.

They are urging MPs to “bin the bill” and support amendments tabled by MPs Caroline Lucas and Norman Baker.

Idmiston residents demanded John Glen oppose the bill.

Campaigner Becky Marti said: “If this bill goes through it will be the law to ‘maximise economic recovery’ of oil and gas, which will completely conflict with the Climate Change Act 2008.

“It will also allow sale of public lands and removal of rights of way.

“This bill affects everyone, yet most people have not heard about it.”