CPRE is delighted that Cuadrilla’s shale gas application at Roseacre Wood in Fylde has been refused at appeal

CPRE Lancashire is delighted to learn that the Secretary of State has concluded that the proposal by Cuadrilla should be determined in accordance with the development plan, and therefore the appeal was dismissed, and planning permission refused.

CPRE had previously maintained an objection as highway safety impacts were insurmountable.  In addition, the proposals raised further negative impacts with harm to rural character, hedgerows, tranquillity and local amenity, and consequently CPRE Lancashire recommended that the appeal against the Lancashire County Council refusal of planning consent be dismissed. Download our response below.
 
Local people were vociferously opposed to the application due to a range of negative planning considerations.

CPRE Lancashire will keep an eye on the situation to see if Caudrilla challenges the decision in the High Court.  In that event it would guide the public on how to respond.

Emerging expert evidence that shale gas exploration is incompatible with international targets on climate change is constantly evolving and was added to by the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in October 2018.

Fracking companies have recently argued that the traffic light system monitoring seismic events caused by hydraulically fracturing geology at depth is too restrictive, and requests the Government relaxes the regulation.  CPRE Lancashire believes adequate regulation is imperative.  Although Cuadrilla recently downplayed of the effects of seismic events to that of a “watermelon being dropped at the surface”, CPRE Lancashire’s Planning Manager Jackie Copley said: “small seismic events, even if small at the surface, can cause significant damage to the well casing, and ultimately greatly increase the risk associated with shale gas exploration, whatever the extraction technique. We therefore think it would be improper if the Government was to cut corners with shale gas regulation and planning.  Public opinion and safety should continue to be a priority, as should the realities of climate change, which should not be ignored”.

CPRE Lancashire’s response to the Roseacre Appeal Highway Safety proposals