Controversial Lancashire fracking plans ‘should be refused’
One of two planning stories about who controls the planning system. I suspect if this application is refused the companies will appeal and then a long and attritional process which puts immense strain on local people will begin. I know a couple of people who have led local opposition to wind farms both of whom have become seriously ill through stress. The problem with all these local energy schemes is that they return a tiny proportion of the gross profits they make from adulterating local landscapes and living conditions to the people whose lives are radically changed. Until that changes communities will fight on and there will be more casualties.
Controversial plans for fracking in Lancashire should be refused because the drilling would cause “unacceptable” increases in noise and heavy traffic, according to the county council’s planning officers. Their recommendation will be considered by councillors ahead of the deciding votes next week.
The application by shale gas company Cuadrilla to drill wells at two sites also faced objections on a series of other issues, including public health, air and water pollution, subsidence and earthquake risk. But Lancashire county council (LCC) planning officers said these impacts “would be low or could be mitigated” and “concluded that the principle of exploration for shale gas would be acceptable”.
LCC’s planning committee will vote on Cuadrilla’s planning applications on 28 and 29 January. If approved, it will be the first full scale shale gas exploration in the UK. If they reject the plans, Cuadrilla can submit modified plans or appeal, with communities secretary Eric Pickles potentially making the final decision.
David Cameron has said the government is “going all out” for fracking in the UK, claiming it would create jobs and cut the country’s reliance on gas imports. But opponents argue the high pressure fracturing of rocks to release gas risks health and environmental impacts and drives climate change.