Cuadrilla Resources issued a comment on Lancashire County Council’s Development Control Committee’s decision to deny planning consent for the application to drill, fracture and flow test up to four wells at Preston New Road.
“We are surprised and disappointed that Lancashire County Council’s Development Control Committee has denied planning consent for our application to explore for shale gas at Preston New Road, particularly as their decision follows a positive recommendation by the Council’s Planning Officers,” the company said in its comment.
Cuadrilla added that it will remain committed to the exploration of the huge quantity of natural gas locked up in the shale rock deep underneath Lancashire. The company will now take time to consider its options regarding an appeal for Preston New Road, along with also considering appeals for the planning applications recently turned down, against Officer advice, for monitoring and site restoration at Grange Hill, and the decision to refuse the Roseacre Wood application.
It is over a year since the application was submitted to the Council and the committee’s decision comes after Planning Officer’s went through the rigorous Environmental Statement, which led to their positive recommendation.
Cuadrilla added that the Environmental Impact Assessments carried out by independent expert environmental scientists and other engineering specialists demonstrate that the operations can and will be conducted safely and without damage to people’s health or their environment.
The UK and the EU has a strict regulatory framework for governing oil and gas exploration and production and the company had to secure many permissions and permits before work can start.
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Image: Cuadrilla Resources