Protest fears over fracking decision
ANTI-FRACKING campaigners fear they might not be able to argue against Great Altcar proposals in person when a decision is made.
The Moss Alliance is leading the fight against an application to allow the controversial practice on a site at the border of West Lancashire and Formby.
Aurora Energy Resources submitted its plans for the site in June last year and wants to carry out tests to determine whether to pursue plans for a long term fracking.
Its tests would involve constructing an access road and well site comprising two giant boreholes, the second of which would be almost a mile long.
Campaigners have opposed the application from the outset and objections have been received from West Lancashire Borough Council and Sefton Borough Council, as well as by parish councils in Burscough, Lydiate, Downholland and South Lathom.
MPs Rosie Cooper and Bill Esterson have also publicly spoken out against the plans, which Aurora say will contribute towards the UK’s need for gas and boost the local economy through jobs and tax revenues.
Now, campaigners from the
Moss Alliance say they have been informed the decision may be taken at a virtual meeting of the development control committee in mid-August or September.
They fear this will mean campaigners will be unable to present their opposition and evidence directly to the committee and that an officer will instead read it out.
West Lancashire Borough Council has allowed representations to be made by the public using a phone link during its virtual meetings.
Maureen Mills, chair of The Moss Alliance said: “That objections, or even support, cannot now be presented in person, albeit by telephone link, removes the personal element that is so important to input into public meetings.
“Remember the LCC Devcon meetings in June 2015, before the introduction of a new limit on speakers, when the committee heard the public’s objections loud and clear and refused permission for Cuadrilla to frack at Preston New Road and Roseacre Wood.
“We think it inconceivable that a decision could be taken on such a major development while the Government’s moratorium on fracking remains in place and support has been withdrawn.
“Particularly as the UK BEIS [business, energy and industrial strategy] minister stated on TV on June 18 that fracking was over and the Government had ‘moved ‘on.
“We believe that councillors on LCC’s development control committee should not be put in the position of having to take a decision on this major planning application during these unprecedented times.
“Presently hybrid council meetings are considered unlawful but councils are preparing for them because this situation could change quickly as lockdown restrictions are relaxed.
“We do not know exactly what the situation will be in August and September.”