29 June 2015
Greens in the North West applaud the decision by Lancashire County Council to refuse planning applications for 2 sites in the county, despite intense pressure from the fracking companies and the Government. One of the applications, at Little Plumpton near Preston, had been recommended for approval by planning officials, and was on the brink of approval last week; following deferment of the decision, local campaigners were delighted to hear that the majority of Councillors on the Committee had listened to the concerns of residents and rejected the application.
Many Green Party members and supporters were among the campaigners who demonstrated outside the Council Offices every day that the applications were being debated. These included national Green Party Leader Natalie Bennett who joined demonstrators on Wednesday last week (pictured below), as well as prominent anti-fracking campaigners and election candidates such as Tina Rothery and Bob Dennett.
Lancashire Green County Councillor Gina Dowding said " Today is a day for celebrating. The county councillors on the committee have listened to the concerns of Lancashire's residents and have done what is right. They have given voice to thousands of residents, campaign groups, health experts and all those concerned about climate change. But the party may not last long. As we all know, the shale gas industry is out to make a quick buck in Lancashire and I doubt they will give up that easily. However Lancastrians have shown they will not be dictated to by the Government or big business and will fight hard to protect our county and our future."
North West Green Party RSS Feed