Fylde Borough Council yesterday announced its decision to oppose plans by fracking firm Cuadrilla to drill and frack at two local sites in Lancashire.
The council’s development management committee has been recommended to object to Cuadrilla’s application to drill at Preston New Road at Westby and at Roseacre Wood – despite the initial recommendation by the Case Officer managing the applications that no objection should be raised to either application.
However, Fylde Borough Council is a consultee only in the process and does not determine Waste or Mineral planning applications including Shale Gas or 'Fracking' related applications. Lancashire County Council is the Minerals and Waste Planning Authority for Lancashire and will ultimately take the final decision on Cuadrilla’s applications later this year.
Both were recommended for rejection by the Committee on the grounds that:
“…the proposed drilling operation would be in relatively close proximity to residential properties and it the noise and disturbance from a 24 hour drilling operation would be significant. For this reason, it is recommended that LCC be advised that this Council objects to the proposal and recommends that planning permission be refused.”
Welcoming Fylde Borough Council’s decision late on Wednesday to oppose plans by fracking firm Cuadrilla's to drill and frack at two local sites in Lancashire, Friends of the Earth’s north west regional campaigner Helen Rimmer said:
“It’s fantastic that the council has listened to environmental concerns and the overwhelming majority of local residents and is opposing these applications. Lancashire County Council must now stand up to fracking firm lobbying and refuse permission.
“Authorities in southern England have said no to fracking, so we’re delighted Fylde council are against Cuadrilla’s plans for the ‘desolate north’ too.”
“Lancashire should be leading the way in developing the UK’s huge clean energy potential, not desperately punching holes in the countryside to help keep the UK hooked on dirty fossil fuels.”
Click here to read the Fylde Borough Council documentation in full.