Fracking: Lancashire County Council being bullied into to approve two controversial shale gas sites, despite objections
‘Lancashire County Council is coming under intense pressure from pro-fracking lobbyists to approve two controversial shale gas sites in the county, a week after its own planning officers recommended refusal. The industry suffered a major setback when the council’s officers recommended two proposals by fracking giant Cuadrilla be refused, because of concerns about night-time noise and traffic. The issue will be debated this week at the council’s development control committee.
If it opts for approval, Lancashire will be the first council to give a green light to fracking since a nationwide ban was lifted by the Government in 2012. Before then, the influential House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee is expected to demand a ban due to environmental and health concerns. One of its senior members, former environment secretary Caroline Spelman, last week publicly called for a ban.’
Leave a Reply