The energy company behind plans for a round-the-clock drilling operation near Whittington has also lodged a bid for a similar operation close to a neighbouring village.

Composite Energy’s plans to carry out a 24-hour drilling operation for up to two months at land at Brookfield Farm, Babbinswood, to see if a coal seam deep underground contains the natural gas Coal Bed Methane, have sparked objections by residents who have concerns about the impact the work will have on the area.

Composite Energy has now also lodged a similar proposal to drill near St Martins. The application to carry out the operation on land at New Marton, about two miles from St Martins, has been lodged with Shropshire Council planning bosses.

The firm is seeking permission to drill a temporary appraisal borehole for up to 60 days to retrieve coal.

The coal’s structure and gas content will then be examined to see if the site is appropriate for Coal Bed Methane production in the future. No gas extraction will be made at this stage.

In papers lodged with planning chiefs, the firm says work will be carried out to minimise noise from the exploratory operation. It says the site is not close to homes and there will be no damage to habitats and no pollution.

St Martins’ councillor Steve Davenport said he had concerns. He said: “It is important to say this is only an exploration at the moment but I am sure I, and the local parish council, would not be happy if this led to a larger operation.”

Members of Whittington Parish Council have objected to what is being proposed at Babbinswood.

Both applications should be heard by October.