Fracking is a legal activity, although planning permission is required for each site before shale gas can be extracted. Lancashire County Council is the planning authority for such applications but the WLBC Planning Committee is consulted.



The scope for the LCC Development Control Committee to refuse an application is limited to the suitability of the individual site, as was the case when the two applications in Fylde were refused last year. These refusals were subject to appeal, the results of which are due shortly.

Cllr Eddie Pope, Conservative Spokesman on Planning, said: "Following the advice obtained from the Borough Solicitor, the Conservative Group had genuine concerns over the wording of the Motion and the very real possibility of it compromising councillor's position in relation to future fracking applications. Our Members took the sensible decision to refrain from the debate on the Motion and abstained.

It is worth noting that when it came to the vote, Labour's Cllr Bob Pendleton who is a very experienced member and former chairman of the Planning Committee, appeared to share our concerns, as he also abstained.

The Motion was completely pointless and an example of the worst kind of political posturing. It was certainly not in the interests of the residents of West Lancashire."

The four Borough Councillors who are also members of Lancashire County Council, declared an interest at the start of the Meeting and left the chamber during consideration of the Motion. Conservative Cllr David Westley and Labour Cllr Terry Aldridge are members of the LCC Development Control Committee. Conservative Cllrs David O'Toole and Malcolm Barron are potential substitute members of the Committee. Cllr. Barron was on the Committee when the two Fylde applications were refused last year.