Councils fear an erosion of local controls over fracking after the Prime Minister lifted a moratorium on the practice.
Liz Truss wants hydraulic fracking to resume to help shore up the UK’s energy security, suggesting it could begin contributing to the nation’s gas supplies within six months.
But the news has been met with opposition from a swathe of councils in the north of England, where underground reserves of shale gas are located.
Yvonne Gagen, leader of West Lancashire BC, where a fracking application was shelved in 2020, told The MJ: ‘My own personal view on fracking and Liz Truss lifting the ban is that it's wrong on every level and I am totally against fracking in West Lancashire.’
Executive member for environment at York City Council, Paula Widdowson, added: ‘Fracking poses unacceptable risks to people, the climate and the environment, bringing with it the potential threat of earthquakes, water pollution and green spaces transforming into industrial landscapes.’
To continue reading visit The MJ (£).
