Fracking is "the opposite of what we need", says MP in fight against plans to frack near F

MP Bill Esterson has reiterated his opposition to fracking and says he will fight plans to use the controversial technique to search for gas under Formby.

The Sefton Central MP told his constituents that the plans which have been submitted to Lancashire County Council were "the opposite of what is needed if we are to address global warming".

He went on to say that he would be objecting "in the strongest possible terms", and that he has consistently voted against fracking in Parliament.

Mr Esterson said: "I shall be objecting in the strongest possible terms to the local authorities in Lancashire which will be asked to decide whether to allow the planning application or not."

The MP recently met with protestors from the constituency outside Parliament at the protest named "The Time is Now". The MP said: "I should like to thank those constituents who visited Parliament recently for the Climate Action lobby. They all told me they opposed fracking and it was clear from the number of people who attended the lobby, that addressing the Environment and Climate Emergency, which Parliament has declared, is very important to a great many people.

"Fracking is permitted as a result of regulations which were agreed by the government in 2016. I voted against those regulations as I believe that we should not start fracking near Formby or anywhere else. Burning gas produces carbon dioxide, which is the biggest cause of global warming according to the Committee on Climate Change.

"Fracking is the opposite of what is needed if we are to address global warming."

Bill Esterson MP said: "Please express any concerns you have by writing to Lancashire County Council Planning Department.

"It is very disappointing that the FRAG run Formby Parish Council has made it more difficult to stop fracking. The FRAG Neighbourhood Plan says fracking could be allowed if it is in the interests of the local community. Aurora Petroleum will say that they believe fracking is in the community interest and could use what the Parish Council say to back up their planning application. The Parish Council should have just said they were against fracking. They have given a hostage to fortune to the developers and have increased the risk of fracking. I shall oppose the plans for fracking and would encourage as many people as possible to object to Lancashire County Council, who are the planning authority."

Aurora has submitted plans to drill, hydraulically fracture and do exploratory tests at two wells at Altcar Moss on Sutton's Lane, Great Altcar.

Comments and objections can be submitted by emailing devcon@lancashire.gov.uk using the planning reference number LCC/2019/0037

PIC: Bill Esterson MP with Barry Gardiner MP and protestors at the Altcar Moss site near Formby