Yorkshire Post: Osborne claims victory in battle over fracking

GEORGE Osborne has claimed victory in the battle for hearts and minds over fracking as he said Britain is leading Europe in the exploration for shale gas.

The Chancellor said there is now a “broad consensus” among the British public over the need to drill for shale gas in the UK, following months of fierce debate between supporters and those worried about the impact on their local communities and the wider environment.

His comments came as fracking firm Cuadrilla announced plans to explore for shale gas in two new locations in Lancashire. The firm will seek permission to drill, hydraulically fracture and test the flow of gas from up to four wells on each of the sites in Fylde.

Yorkshire is also thought to be sitting on huge reserves of shale gas, with a British Geological Survey report published last year suggesting 1,300 trillion cubic feet of gas could be trapped in shale deep under north and central England.  MORE