FT: Cuadrilla fracking application knocked back

Fracking in the UK has received a setback after council officers recommended refusing an application to drill at two sites in Lancashire.

Lancashire County Council planning officers said Cuadrilla should not be allowed to exploit shale gas reserves at two sites near Blackpool because of high noise levels, writes Andrew Bounds, the FT's Northern Correspondent.

They said that the business has "not demonstrated" that noise impacts would be reduced to "acceptable levels" and would therefore "unnecessarily and unacceptably" result in harm to the amenity of neighbouring properties.

Councillors will make a decision next week but usually back officer recommendations.
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