Fracking or not? (Update)

AudlemOnline regular readers will have read yesterday's statement from Cheshire East Council that the borough will remain free of fracking.

It seemed like a definitive statement from the council's leader Michael Jones but BBC North West viewers last night were told it may not be as clear cut. Michael Jones was interviewed and it was clear there was a U-turn within 24 hours of yesterday's announcement.

While council leader Michael Jones announced on Monday that fracking was 'not right' for Cheshire East, he told Tuesday's BBC North West Tonight he was not able to stop it.

He told TV viewers there were no suitable sites in the borough, that fracking was unnecessary and that the council favoured geothermal exploration.

But, it has been pointed out, as councillors are not allowed to pre-determine planning applications, if a fracking application meets the council's planning policies and all necessary safeguards are in place, they will have to pass it.

As might be expected, a number of councillors have commented on this rapid change of direction. "Clr Jones has a habit of going round the Borough spreading promises like confetti that he knows he can't keep," said Willaston and Rope Ward UKIP councillor Brian Silvester.

"He tells people what he thinks they want to hear, even though what he promises them is totally unrealistic."

Cllr Silvester said the council's director of economic growth and prosperity, Caroline Simpson, informed him any planning application for fracking will have to be reviewed against planning policies.

"The Council can't pull up the drawbridge and say they will not accept any applications for fracking," he added.

"If companies want to invest in the borough and create jobs and prosperity he should not be closing the door on them before there is an opportunity to consider what is being proposed."

Independent Cheshire East councillor for Shavington, David Brickhill, believes there will be suitable fracking sites in the borough. "It appears to me that, on this occasion, Cllr Jones just went fracking crazy," he said.

"As to there not being any suitable oil or gas yielding shale deposits under any part of Cheshire East, I believe this too will be proved to be incorrect and the council spokesperson will have to do another U-turn.

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