Government overrules council to give go-ahead to fracking

The government has given the go-ahead to fracking in Lancashire, overruling a planning decision by the local council.

Communities secretary Sajid Javid has upheld an appeal made by Cuadrilla in February against the decision by Lancashire County Council to refuse permission to carry out hydraulic fracturing at two sites in the region.

In a letter to a lawyer representing the drilling company, Javid said it will be allowed to drill and then fracture four exploratory wells at its site on Preston New Road, subject to some conditions. However, he said a decision on its application for another four wells at its Roseacre Wood site had been deferred.

A report by the planning inspector had recommended that the Preston New Road application be approved but the Roseacre Wood application refused because of concerns over traffic.

Javid said he largely agreed with the findings of the report but had decided to allow more time for stakeholders to present evidence relating to the Roseacre Wood application. He said he would be “minded” to approve the application if “the highway safety issues identified by the inspector can be satisfactorily addressed”.

He added that Cuadrilla had demonstrated that “all material, social, economic or environmental impacts” would be “reduced to an acceptable level”, and that the sites would “represent a positive contribution towards the reduction of carbon”.

Responding to the decision, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for environment, planning and cultural services Marcus Johnstone 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.

He continued: “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.”

Cuadrilla chief executive Francis Egan said: “We are very pleased that we can now move ahead with our shale gas exploration plans which will start to create new economic growth opportunities and jobs for people in Lancashire and the UK.

“We are confident that our operations will be safe and responsible and the comprehensive site monitoring programme planned by regulators and independent academics will in due course conclusively demonstrate this. We hope this will reassure the minority of people whom remain sceptical about shale gas exploration.”

Yesterday Nottinghamshire County Council delayed a decision on a planning application to drill exploratory shale gas wells in the county so it could seek legal advice over a letter submitted by Friends of the Earth earlier in the day.

Here’s how others have reacted to today’s decision:

Barry Gardiner, shadow energy secretary, Labour

“The government’s decision bulldozes local democracy and risks locking Britain into an old-fashioned dirty energy infrastructure when we should be seizing the opportunities for new long-term jobs and investment in a clean energy future.

“Cuadrilla’s own figures on jobs show they would be very temporary, and their claims that fracking will lower British energy bills have been discredited.

“Tory ministers pay lip service to tackling climate change but are bending over backwards to force through new fossil fuel infrastructure, with divisive bribes, tax breaks and ministerial powers that override the wishes of local communities.”

Ken Cronin, chief executive, UK Onshore Oil and Gas

 “The approval of the application at Preston New Road is an important step forward towards determining what gas resources we have under our feet, with the aim of developing a sustainable onshore natural gas exploration industry in the UK.

“We need the gas to heat our homes, produce electricity, supply our industries and to reduce our dependency on imports. The onshore oil and gas industry is committed to producing this gas in the safest and most environmentally sensitive way possible and to creating jobs and opportunities in the supply chain.”

Richard Black, director, Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit

“Leaving aside local environmental concerns, the jury’s still out on whether the economics of developing a UK shale industry really stack up. This is particularly true now, when the world is awash with cheap liquefied natural gas.

“Cuadrilla’s boss said today that importing shale gas is crazy and that we’re running out of gas, but it really isn’t clear that that’s the case. Having invested in UK facilities to take advantage of cheap imported gas, is it really wise to be investing in shale gas which is unlikely to bring bills down – particularly when in post-Brexit Britain we’re supposed to be chasing free trade like never before?

“It’s worth noting too that fugitive emissions of methane from shale gas extraction will count against our domestic climate change targets, whereas for imported gas they don’t. That’s why the Committee on Climate Change recommends that the Government needs to regulate these emissions very tightly – and we’re waiting for the Government’s response on that.”

Jenifer Baxter, head of energy and environment, Institution of Mechanical Engineers

 “It is important to recognise the role that gas plays and is likely to play in our energy and industry systems today and for the foreseeable future. Our incumbent heating networks that are between 40-45% of our total energy use in the UK are hugely dependant on gas. Our chemical and manufacturing industries also rely heavily on gas feedstocks.

Currently gas comes to the UK from all over the world and experimental sites, such as the one at Preston New Road in Lancashire will enable Cuadrilla, along with government and the local community, to understand how local production could contribute to distributed energy and industry networks in that region.

“The fact that thousands of objections have been lodged about the plans shows that there is a lot more work that needs to be done by engineering institutions, oil and gas companies and others in favour of trials like this to engage the public.”

Stuart Fegan, national officer for the gas industry, GMB

“This pragmatic decision is an important step forward for energy security in the UK and will help close the UK balance of payments deficit which amounts to £90 billion per year.

“The go ahead will reduce the gas we will need to import from regimes fronted by henchmen, hangmen and head choppers as the UK will need to use gas for years to come to heat our homes and generate electricity on the 60 days each year when there is no wind.

“Now the decision has been made, GMB will organise the gas workers in the industry and will work with the regulatory authorities to ensure health and safety and environmental issues are dealt with properly.  The gas industry is a source of premium, highly skilled jobs.”

Helen Rimmer, north west campaigner, Friends of the Earth

“This is bad news for Lancashire – the community have been fighting fracking for more than five years. This fight continues until this unproven and unpopular industry disappear for good.

“Instead of shoving us down a dangerous path that inevitably leads to climate change, the government should invest in renewables and energy efficiency, an emerging industry that could create 24,000 jobs in the north west alone.”

Friends of the Earth will be looking closely at this decision and we continue to support the community in their campaign to make sure all of Lancashire stays frack free. Only 19% of people support shale gas compared to 81% support for renewables.”

Chris Lewis, energy advisory partner, EY

“The decision to approve shale gas exploration opens a window to a £33bn investment opportunity and the potential to create over 64,000 jobs.

“Securing the future of the next generation of energy users requires that we maintain an open mind when it comes to building the UK’s energy mix. Investing in home grown energy in the form of shale gas can reduce the UK’s reliance on expensive higher cost imported gas.  Gas currently heats 80% of our homes and provides 50% of our dispatchable power generation capacity.

“Now that the launch pad is in place the focus needs to be on getting on with exploration, developing the relevant skills needed to unlock investment and working closely with local communities.”

Hannah Martin, campaigner, Greenpeace

 “This fudged decision shows the government is struggling to force fracking on a reluctant nation. Fracking will put our countryside and air quality at risk. Digging up more fossil fuels that we can’t burn if we are to honour the international agreement we signed in Paris and is coming into force soon makes little economic or environmental sense.

 “Theresa May cannot build a 21st-century industrial strategy on a polluting and inexperienced fracking sector that won’t deliver for years, if ever. If the PM wants to promote an affordable and fair energy system whilst bolstering business growth and job creation, renewable and smart energy technologies are the way to go.” 

Claire Jakobsson, head of energy and climate policy, EEF

“Until the UK actually has some production sites in operation we will know very little about the commercial viability of this energy source, so today’s approval could be a significant step forward for the UK’s future in shale.   

“Following today’s decision, we could see production start within the next eighteen months. It’s hoped that this development will provide vital information on the longer-term prospects for a UK shale industry. Approval of the second application, currently under consideration, would help to build this picture further and we hope the green light will be given for this too in due course.  

“Shale gas has the potential to deliver significant economic benefits to the UK, from more affordable energy to security of supply, through to jobs in the energy and manufacturing sectors. It is right that we explore this opportunity and understand the potential for shale gas as part of the UK’s energy mix.” 

Phil Foster, managing director, Love Energy Savings

“The government cannot afford to place all its eggs in one basket, which is what is most concerning about the increased investment in fracking whilst more sustainable forms of energy generation have seen their subsidies cut.

“While on the surface fracking appears to have its benefits, by fast-tracking these projects that so many people are against, the government runs the risk of alienating a large proportion of the public when we should all be pulling in the same direction.”