LEP: Be cautious on shale gas, panel urged

Countryside campaigners have fired a warning shot across the bows of potential shale gas companies.

The Lancashire branch of the Campaign for Rural England says it is concerned about the effects that “fracking “ will have on parts of the county’s countryside.

It is now urging councillors to be cautious about granting permission, in the light of the toll that climate change is already having.

Representatives of CPRE Lancashire are to attend Preston Council’s environmental scrutiny panel on Thursday to present their report into the question of shale gas exploration.

Cuadrilla is applying for planning consent to hydraulically fracture and test for shale gas at its site at Grange Hill near Singleton. It also plans to test drill another six sites across the Fylde coast.

An environmental impact study is now being prepared for Lancashire County Council.  MORE