UK fracking: Lancashire county council rejects Little Plumpton Cuadrilla project

Lancashire county councillors have rejected the second fracking project from oil and gas giant Cuadrilla Resources in a week.

The county council rejected a bid by the energy company to frack for shale gas in a site at Preston New Road, a move which was welcomed by environment protesters. On 26 June, the council rejected a proposal from Cuadrilla to frack in a site at Roseacre Wood.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said, as reported by local newspaper Mid Sussex Times, that the rejection is a great victory for Lancashire residents as well as environment campaigners.

"Today's decision proves that, in spite of all the Government's efforts to force through fracking, local communities can prevent it from going ahead. Lancashire County Councillors have ... set a strong example of how democracy should work – with elected politicians listening to the concerns of the people they represent," said Lucas.

The decision to reject the bid by Cuadrilla is seen as a step back for the shale gas industry in the UK, which is an important issue for PM David Cameron and energy minister Amber Rudd.

Rudd, whose appointment as energy minister after the General Election in May 2015 was celebrated by shale gas companies, was expected to give fracking the go-ahead, but the decision regarding fracking in Lancashire was up to the local council.

Planning officers recommended that the council allow the fracking project at Preston New Road near Little Plumpton, after they recommended to reject the Roseacre Wood proposal.

Robbie Owen at law firm Pinsent Masons told the Telegraph: "Today's decision to refuse planning permission at Preston New Road will be viewed as a considerable set-back for shale gas exploration in England. It sends a further unhelpful signal to international investors at a time when the UK's energy policy is in a state of flux."