Lancashire Council Turns Down Cuadrilla Bid at Roseacre Wood

Lancashire County Council has rejected an application by the leading UK shale gas explorer Cuadrilla to proceed with hydraulically fracturing at the Roseacre Wood site near Blackpool in northwest England,

The application was rejected on the basis that the work being planned would create traffic disruption. The ruling followed earlier recommendation from council planning officers that the application should be rejected.

"We will now take time to consider our options, including our right to appeal," Cuadrilla said in a statement.

A vote to on an application by Cuadrilla to drill at a second nearby site at New Preston Road in Little Plumpton was to be held this past Wednesday, but was deferred to Monday June 29th, following a chaotic afternoon in the County Council room.

The council planning officers have recommended that the planning application at Preston New Road should be approved.