Preston New Road Action Group

Court of Appeal Concludes

31 August 2017

For immediate release

The London Court of Appeal case of Preston New Road Action Group versus the Secretary of State over fracking in Lancashire has concluded, with judgement from Lord Justice Simon, Lord Justice Lindblom and Lord Justice Henderson, being reserved for a later date.

A spokeswoman for the group stated:

“Our goal remains as always: to achieve true justice for our community and the people of Lancashire.

“Our case this week has been centred on specific points of law, surrounding the decision by the Secretary of State to overturn Lancashire County Council’s democratic refusal of Cuadrilla’s planning applications.

“The people of Lancashire have spoken loudly and clearly, refusing this industry that does not hold any social license here.

“The conditions of operation for this development have not been adhered to, evidenced by the deliberate and pre-meditated breach where Cuadrilla brought in around 30 HGVs at 04.45hrs one morning.

“The current situation at Preston New Road is critical and after four years of consistently showing that there is no social license to frack, we now trust that English justice will finally be delivered and we get our community back.”
“Preston New Road Action Group reaffirms there is credible evidence of risk and harm arising from the fracking industry that has not been fully explored. The group welcomed the opportunity to present crucial information at the highest level.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

1. In 2015, Lancashire County Council democratically refused planning permission for Cuadrilla’s application to carry out exploratory hydraulic fracturing at Preston New Road, on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire. Cuadrilla subsequently appealed to the Secretary of State, who in October 2016, controversially overturned the local council’s decision and gave Cuadrilla the go-ahead for planning permission. An ongoing legal battle has continued since then, with a judicial review at Manchester Court of Appeal earlier this year.
—
Claire Stephenson