Two of the country’s environmental campaign organisations are rallying support for Lancashire County Councillors who voted to refuse Cuadrilla’s application to frack at Preston New Road.
A campaigner at the rally in Preston on Tuesday 23rd June
A vote on Wednesday by the council’s development control committee to refuse the plans was tied seven-all until the chairman used his casting vote. Discussion on the application was then adjourned and resumes on Monday at 10am to decide the application.
Friends of the Earth says the decision is on a knife edge. Greenpeace says it is too close to call and is urging supporters to give it everything they have.
On Wednesday, council officers said there were no planning reasons to refuse the Preston New Road application. They warned members of the committee if they turned it down Cuadrilla could appeal and, if it won, costs could be awarded against the council. One councillor has said the committee has come under intense pressure to approve the application.
The committee voted unanimously to refuse Cuadrilla’s other application for Roseacre Wood on Thursday.
This evening, Greenpeace launched what it calls an urgent petition calling on councillors who voted against fracking to “stay strong and to use their influence to talk others round”.
Greenpeace campaigner, Richard Casson, said: “With a final decision set to be made on Monday, this is as urgent as it gets”.
“If Cuadrilla wins in Lancashire it could pave the way for communities across the country to be opened up to a reckless dash for gas”, he said.
Friends of the Earth is urging its supporters to attend a rally outside the council offices at County Hall in Preston early on Monday. If they can’t attend it is suggesting they watch the event online.
Categories: Opposition
DRILL OR DROP? 
These are NOT charities but political pressure groups with an agenda
Both Greenpeace (reg. no. 284934) and Friends of the Earth (reg. no. 281681) are registered charities. It is incorrect to state otherwise. They may or may not have agenda. The views they promote concur with those of Pope Francis who heads a religion followed by 1.6 billion people.
They are political lobby groups pushing false information. Their ideas only partially concur with the Pope, and not over gas or fracking
The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.
Each community has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations.
We need only to take a frank look at the facts to see that our common home is falling into serious disrepair. Reducing greenhouse gases requires honesty, courage and responsibility.
Let us sing as we go. May our struggles and our concern for this planet never take away the joy of our hope.
Pope Francis, 18 June 2015
Why not crowd fund to offer to LCC to protect them from fear of appeal costs? Would create great news story im sure if we could raise £50-100k! Im amazed NGOs etc aren’t doing it… I’m happy to offer first £100!