Cuadrilla welcomes High Court verdict

Energy firm Cuadrilla has welcomed today’s High Court ruling dismissing a legal challenge against the planning consent given for its Fylde shale gas exploration site.

Anti-fracking campaigners went to court to contest Communities Secretary Sajid Javid’s decision to give the go ahead for the exploration site at Preston New Road in Little Plumpton.

“We respected the democratic right of those opposed to this consent to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision.

“This is also great news for all those local businesses and workers in Lancashire that are currently and will in the future be benefiting from the increased revenue and job opportunities that our operations are bringing to the county.

A spokesman for the pro-shale gas ‘Backing Fracking’ group said: “This decision will no doubt disappoint some local campaigners, but we hope that they will accept it and choose not to pursue any further form of appeal.

They added: “It’s now time to let Cuadrilla get on with finding the answers we’re all looking for: can this gas be extracted in sufficient quantities to enable a viable shale gas industry to grow in Lancashire, creating jobs and boosting the economy?”