Business leader: Lancashire shale appeal is a massive opportunity for our county

Ahead of the Planning Inspectorate's pre-inquiry meeting in Blackpool today (November 19 2015), John Kersey, chairman of the Lancashire branch of the Institute of Directors, has shown his support.

"An October 2015 Eurobarometer Survey commissioned by the European Commission showed a majority (53 per cent) of Lancashire residents believed shale “brings new opportunities to me and my region”. The second highest level in Europe. 90 per cent cited the local jobs opportunities that could be brought to the region. We agree.

"To not take advantage of these huge economic opportunities available to our community would be irresponsible – especially with the news this Monday that Lancashire County Council plans to save £65m over the next two years. As the Council says, these plans would result in the loss of the equivalent of an estimated 367 full-time jobs. "Our members, who are local business people and residents, support Cuadrilla’s decision to appeal the recent decision by Lancashire County Council and believe there were a number of inconsistencies and flaws in this summer’s decision by councillors."