Sajid Javid to rule on Blackpool fracking this week
Sajid Javid is expected to rule on Cuadrilla Resource's attempt to frack for shale gas at two sites near Blackpool next week.
The communities and local government secretary’s decision is likely to come at the Conservative party conference which kicked off yesterday.
His department has previously said that a final decision will be made by 6th October. Only then will the Planning Inspectorate's confidential report submitted about three months ago be publicly revealed.
Read more: Cuadrilla launches appeal to frack for shale gas in Lancashire
It comes amid a fiery debate about the future of fracking in Britain. While Labour has said it would ban the controversial drilling process, the government supports fracking due to its potential for job creation and increased energy security.
Cuadrilla has held off from fracking since 2010 when its activities caused earth tremors in Blackpool.
It is appealing a decision by Lancashire County Council barring it from extracting shale gas from sites in Preston New Road and Roseacre Wood.
Read more: Government plans for fracking payments fail to entice public
The council rejected both planning applications last year due to the expected impact of increased noise and traffic on nearby residents.
The Sunday Times reported one possible outcome was the Javid would reject the application for Roseacre Wood but approve the other at Preston New Road.
A spokesperson for Cuadrilla told Morning Wire: "We remain confident about our appeal case and that shale gas exploration remains a national imperative to the future of the country's energy security."