Campaigners opposed to the fossil fuel extraction process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, have failed in a High Court legal bid to stop exploratory drilling taking place near Blackpool.
High Court judge Mr Justice Dove today refused the application for judicial review brought by Preston New Road Action Group and campaigner Gayzer Frackman.
In 2014 energy firm Cuadrilla announced plans to carry out horizontal fracking in the area. Fracking involves pumping fluid under high pressure into wells to open up millimeter-sized gaps that will release trapped natural gas.
The scheme was given the green light in October by communities secretary Sajid Javid. Last month Dove J heard a challenge to the decision brought by the PNRAG and Frackman.
According to their website, the PNRAG are opposed to fracking because they fear it might have health issues, could damage the environment, may increase the number of HGVs on local roads, and might damage property. They also say that it might impact property prices and cause earthquakes. In addition, they are concerned that the industry is inadequately regulated, and isn’t independently monitored.
But Mr Justice Dove ruled today that there was no procedural unfairness in the decision-making process that allowed the project, and dismissed the case.
Preston New Road Action Group and ors v Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government and ors
Planning Court, Manchester District Registry, (Dove J) 12 April 2017
