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Decision to allow fracking in Lancashire to be made directly by Government

news release

Following the announcement that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark, has informed Lancashire County Council that the decision to allow drilling for shale gas in the county is to be taken directly by Government, Donna Hume, senior energy campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

“The fact that Lancashire Council’s rejection of fracking could now be overturned by central Government is a slap in the face to local democracy and the thousands of people in the county who strongly opposed it.

“For those who live in areas also under the threat of fracking, there will be extreme concern that any carefully considered local decision could be reversed by a Government intent on pursuing fracking at any cost.

“With mounting evidence that drilling for shale gas risks impacting on people’s health, polluting the natural environment and causing more climate change, it is only right that decisions are made locally by those who have to live with the consequences.

“If Cuadrilla is given permission to frack in Lancashire, it will be against the wishes of its residents, and its council, both of which have made their views against this risky process very clear.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  1. On 29 June 2015, Lancashire councillors rejected an application to frack at Preston New Road in Little Plumpton and they rejected an application to test frack in Roseacre earlier that week.

For press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

 

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