Increasing Optimism Over Cuadrilla’s Shale Plans in Lancashire

The Lancashire County Council planning officer recommended that the planning application at Preston New Road should be approved, triggering enthusiastic comments from the representative body for the UK Onshore Oil and Gas industry (UKOOG) and Cuadrilla Resources, which would like to stimulate shale gas production in the country.

Cuadrilla also reported that the second application - the one for Roseacre Wood - encountered more problems. Traffic around unconventional fields might turn into an obstacle for the British industry. 

‘We are pleased that Lancashire County Council’s Planning Officers have recommended that the Councils’ Development Control Committee grant planning consent for our application at Preston New Road. In January 2015, Officers recommended refusal at Preston New Road only on grounds of night-time noise and we duly submitted additional information on mitigation measures, which was publicly consulted on, to further bring down noise levels well below limits set out in government guidance’ Cuadrilla wrote on Monday.  

The UK-focused company reported that it provided additional information about traffic routes, but they still were not enough. 

‘Whilst we remain confident that our original proposed route was adequate, the alternative route suggested also met with all necessary guidelines in our view.  We are disappointed that Officer’s do not support this in their negative recommendation today, however we are pleased to note that as with Preston New Road, they are satisfied with all other aspects of the Roseacre Wood planning applications.’

The Councillors should take a decision on both applications - Roseacre Wood and Preston New Road - by the end of the month.