Councillors in Lancashire have postponed a decision on giving the go ahead to a controversial plan for fracking.
Lancashire County Council's development control committee voted to defer considering applications relating to a site east of Blackpool at Preston New Road, Little Plumpton, until Monday.
They say this will give them time to consider legal advice.
Council officers had earlier recommended accepting the proposal from energy firm Cuadrilla.
A meeting of the committee today (Thursday) was also due to consider a further application to explore for shale gas in Roseacre Wood, half way between Preston and Blackpool, which officers recommended should be refused.
Earlier this week anti-fracking campaigners protested outside County Hall in Preston ahead of the discussions.
They say fracking could have a hugely damaging impact on Lancashire residents and their environment and cause more climate-changing pollution to be pumped into the atmosphere.
However the North & Western Lancashire Chambers of Commerce has said shale represents ‘an opportunity to boost skilled employment and stimulate our local economy’ and could provide ‘a sound basis for long-term economic growth in the North West’.
