Since then, only three shale gas fracking applications have been made, two by Cuadrilla, which have now been refused, and one by energy company Third Energy.
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But Lancashire county councillors voted against the proposals, on the grounds of their impact on the landscape and noise, despite recommendations by planning officers to approve the plans.
The planning officers recommended the application to be approved given a series of conditions is met to mitigate undesired impact on the local neighbourhood including increase noise, traffic and pollution.
According to the Guardian, the company had hoped to drill four wells and undertake exploratory fracking for the gas.
In a statement, Cuadrilla said it completed the most comprehensive environmental impact assessment of its kind in preparation for the drilling campaign.
The refusal is a direct rebuff to Cameron’s pledge to go “all out” for shale in a bid to replicate some of the success the Unites States have had in tapping shale gas resources to bring down energy prices.
Monday’s decision by Lancashire County Council follows the publication of an investigation by Greenpeace, which challenged official government predictions of coal use. Making it all the more galling, Conservative councillors on Lancashire’s Development Control Committee voted 3:1 to reject the application, in line with their Labour colleagues who voted 5:2.
“However, this decision is a serious setback for shale gas in the United Kingdom and many must be wondering if it can ever reach production phase”.
She said in a statement: “Lancashire councilors deserve huge praise for standing up to the relentless pressure from the fracking lobby and their minister friends”.
Bottles of champagne were uncorked as chants of “Frack Free Lancashire” sounded out, while one protester shouted: “Frack off Cuadrilla”.
Supporters of shale, including the government, say it will boost the economy and help ensure domestic energy security.
They were further warned there was a “high risk” that a costs penalty would be imposed on the council if they lost an appeal. Both of these have such influence in government that they have been able to place their colleagues and business partners in leadership positions in regulatory bodies such as the Environment Agency – bodies supposed to be independent and tasked with public protection.
Environmental campaigners described the rejection as a turning point for fracking ventures in the United Kingdom, dubbing it the shale gas industry’s “Waterloo“. Let’s have good planning, let’s not just go for what Cuadrilla wants because it is the cheapest option.
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Shale gas industry body the United Kingdom Onshore Operators Group called on ministers to redraw planning procedures.
