Fracking: Cuadrilla decision – body blow or mere flesh wound?
Published on 2nd Jul 2015
30 June marked the decision day for the eagerly awaited response to energy firm, Cuadrilla’s planning application for fracking on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire.
Despite a recommendation for approval by the county council’s planning officials, Lancashire County Council rejected the application citing the “unacceptable noise impact” and the “adverse urbanising effect on the landscape” as justifications for their decision. The refusal marks a dual defeat for the energy firm after its application to begin fracking operations at Roseacre Wood was also rejected last week.
Whilst the decision is without doubt an obstacle for Cuadrilla, it is unlikely to signal the end of fracking operations in the UK. It is highly likely that Cuadrilla will take the decision to appeal. Further than this, there is the Government’s commitment in the Conservative Party Manifesto to “continue to support the safe development of shale gas”. The newly appointed Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Amber Rudd, has also pledged her support by promising in May that the Government would “deliver shale”.
With the recent revisions to the National Planning Guidance furthering the Government’s commitment to curtailing onshore wind development and the digression of the feed in tariff for solar the Government have signalled a change from renewable resource to fossil fuel approach, which is likely to remain controversial.
