Farron: fracking decision shows government "contempt" for local voices

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has slammed the government's landmark decision to allow fracking in Lancashire, saying it shows "contempt" for the local voices which had opposed the move and is an attempt to turn the North West into a "fracking testing ground".

The government has chosen to overturn the local council and approve Cuadrilla's plans for horizontal fracking at their Preston New Road site at Little Plumpton in Lancashire.

Tim said: "The Conservative government has shown its contempt for local voices by over-ruling the clear objections which were made to these plans by the local council. This sets a dangerous precedent. Ministers in Whitehall have decided that the North West should be a fracking testing ground.

"Fracking is not the solution to our energy problems. It is a threat to our countryside and environment, and does nothing to help us tackle climate change. We should be moving towards a low carbon future based on renewable energy, not increasing our reliance on dirty fossil fuels.

"The Liberal Democrats will continue to fight the government's plans."