Surveyors have previously voiced concerns that without proper clarity, the pumping of water and chemicals underground could have an impact on house prices.

Planning minister Nick Boles argued oil and gas exploration takes place deep underground and it is not always possible to identify the exact route of the drilling.

He said: “Without the changes to the secondary legislation, the widely-drawn area on planning applications for onshore oil and gas projects would require the notification of a disproportionately large number of individuals and businesses.”

In place of notifying everyone affected, oil and gas companies applying for planning permission must publish a notice in a local newspaper and put up site displays in local parishes. Where no parish exists, a display must be set up for such notices.