Government blocks Cuadrilla from fracking at second site in Lancashire

British fracking was dealt another blow today as the government blocked Cuadrilla’s attempts to open a new drilling site in Lancashire.

Local government secretary James Brokenshire said he would not overturn the local council’s decision to refuse planning permission at the Roseacre Wood site.

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He said the company had failed to mitigate the risks from heavy goods vehicles at a local junction.

Meanwhile the secretary found that “local economic benefits of the proposal carry little positive weight in support of this appeal.”

“The proposed development would have a serious and very significant adverse impact on the safety of people using the public highway,” the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government wrote to Cuadrilla’s lawyers.

The fracker said it was “disappointed” by the decision, but was continuing to focus on its nearby Preston New Road site where tests have shown good results.

“Cuadrilla and its investors remain committed to this opportunity and the overall prize for the UK, which includes energy security, jobs and revenue for the country,” a spokesperson said.

Local groups celebrated the government’s decision. The Roseacre Awareness Group has campaigned to halt the plans for years, and put together an assessment of the impact lorries would have on the small country roads.

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It said: “This has caused considerable stress and anxiety, residents have shown great determination and resilience in trying to protect their communities. At last our community can relax.

“We are still very concerned about this government’s intention to push fracking on unwilling communities and we will do whatever we can to support other communities faced with this threat.”