Councillors ‘avoid toxic fracking issue’

Lancashire County Council and Cuadrilla this week said they were putting back the deadline to consider the firm’s two applications to June 30.

It will allow officers time to consider the results of public consultation and make recommendations to the development and control committee.

Greenpeace UK energy and climate campaigner Louise Hutchins said: “First we saw ministers delay a mass give-away of licences to fracking firms across half of the country. Now Lancashire councillors have put the Cuadrilla decision on hold.

“It looks like our politicians don’t want to be seen anywhere near this increasingly toxic issue.”