Cuadrilla Receives Another Setback with Council Ruling

Lancashire County Council has turned down a request by Cuadrilla Resources for a extension of a planning permit at its Grangehill site.  In making the ruling, County Council went against the recommendation of its planning department to approve the plans.

Councillors voted against the fracking company's proposal to start pressure testing and seismic monitoring at the previously drilled site, even though no hydraulic fracturing or fracking, was planned.

"We are perplexed and disappointed by the decision," said Cuadrilla statement.

"The refusal was contrary to the advice of Lancashire County Council planning officers, the HSE and the EA all of whom recommended it for approval," the statement read. "It is not clear what the technical basis of the Council's decision was. As a consequence, the Grange Hill well appears to be in planning limbo since permission to plug the well and restore the site has been refused."

Cuadrilla said that it awaiting clarification from the council before deciding on next steps.

"This decision is yet another blow for Cuadrilla. Refusing the application was the right decision by Lancashire County Council, as it is clear that the people of Lancashire do not support shale gas extraction," said Friends of the Earth's Energy Campaigner Donna Hume.

In late January, Lancashire County Council deferred a decision on the company’s applications for shale gas exploration at Preston New Road and Roseacre Wood by eight weeks.

Cuadrilla had requested the deferral to allow for revised plans and additional information to address the noise and traffic issues that led planning officers’ to argue that County Council should reject Cuadrilla’s requests.

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