Lancashire fracking decision delayed

Councillors describe "intolerable pressure" of making the final ruling

Councillors have deferred a decision on a planning application to frack for shale gas in Lancashire until next Monday.

They voted for more time to consider further legal advice on the proposal by energy firm Cuadrilla to explore for shale gas by by drilling, fracking and testing the flow of gas at a site in Little Plumpton, between Preston and Blackpool.

Earlier the meeting of Lancashire County Council's development control committee heard that councillors had been under "intolerable pressure" in making the final ruling on the controversial process.

A report from planning officials had recommended the Preston New Road site at Little Plumpton be passed subject to a number of conditions being met such as hours of working, control of noise and highway matters.

Committee members will still meet at County Hall to rule on plans by Cuadrilla for a second site on the Fylde at Roseacre Wood, Roseacre.

Planning officials recommended that application be turned down because of the increase in traffic which would result in ''an unacceptable impact'' on rural roads and reduce road safety.

Councillors will reconvene on the Preston New Road application on Monday.

Passing both applications would enable fracking at the sites following drilling at up to four exploration wells, but a separate application would be required if Cuadrilla wished to progress to commercial fracking.

Fracking was suspended in the UK in 2011 following earth tremors in Blackpool where Cuadrilla previously drilled.