Lancaster MP requests urgent fracking meeting with minister

Lancaster MP Cat Smith has requested an urgent meeting with Greg Clark, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to discuss fracking in Lancashire.

The MP is seeking to ensure that the voice of the local community is heard when Greg Clark makes a decision on whether or not to allow fracking to go ahead at Little Plumpton and Roseacre Wood.

Lancashire County Council rejected the application from Cuadrilla to frack at these sites last year but the company has since appealed and a final decision will now be taken by the Secretary of State.

Ms Smith said: “I very much hope that the government will respect the democratic decision taken by Lancashire County Council not to allow fracking to take place at Little Plumpton and Roseacre Wood.

“It would completely unacceptable if ministers, who claim to champion localism, ignored the opposition of the local community and imposed fracking on Lancashire.

“I have been contacted by hundreds of constituents concerned about the impact which fracking will have on the local environment as well as on the UK’s wider climate change commitments.

“It is clear to me this is the wrong option for both Lancashire and our country’s energy future.”

Last July Ms Smith challenged the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Questions to respect the decision taken by Lancashire County Council and has raised the issue in the House of Commons on several occasions since.