Fracking: Lancashire council rejects drilling application

Planning officials had recommended the bid to frack at Little Plumpton be approved, subject to working hours, noise control and highway matters. But councilors disregarded the advice, voting against the controversial proposal.

Councillors had deferred the decision until today, saying they were under “intolerable pressure” in making the final ruling in whether to let shale gas be extracted from the site between Blackpool and Preston.

Anti-fracking groups have been protesting outside the Lancashire County Hall in Preston during the decision-making process. Seventy people – for and against fracking – have spoken at council meetings on the issue.

Fantastic news – final Lancashire #fracking application refused!
Govt must respect this decision
#DontFrackLancs pic.twitter.com/u0SogFRZV5

— Friends of the Earth (@wwwfoecouk) June 29, 2015

On Thursday, Lancashire County Council rejected an application from energy firm Cuadrilla to frack at another location of Roseacre Wood. Planning officials warned it would have an “an unacceptable impact” on rural roads.

In 2011, fracking was suspended in Blackpool, where Cuadrilla previously drilled.