Statement in response to Secretary of State’s decision on planning appeals regarding shale gas exploration

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government today allowed Cuadrilla's appeal against the county council's decision to refuse permission for fracking at the Preston New Road site, subject to conditions.

In the same decision, he allowed the opportunity for more information to be provided on highway safety issues related to the Roseacre site and indicated that, subject to those concerns being addressed, he was minded to allow the appeal, subject to conditions.

County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for environment, planning and cultural services, said: "This was one of the biggest planning applications ever put before any council – literally tens of thousands of people responded to the consultation processes, and the applications involved substantial levels of technical detail.

"Our development control committee carefully considered many hours of evidence both for and against the proposal, and the committee members ultimately cast their vote based on the evidence they heard and whether they thought the proposal was acceptable in planning terms.

"A local council, made up of councillors democratically elected by local people, and charged with serving their interests, is exactly the right body to make decisions on local matters. It is clear that the government supports the development of a shale gas industry, but I would ask them to do more to address the concerns of local communities and the councillors who represent them by supporting the best environmental controls.

"The Secretary of State's decision to allow more time to consider issues related to highway safety around the Roseacre site reflects the committee's concerns on this issue. We will now await information from the applicant on the details required to fulfil the planning conditions set out for the Preston New Road site."