DRILLING OF EXPLORATORY WELL DELAYED BY PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Cuadrilla has submitted an application to the Environment Agency (EA) for a type of environmental permit called a mining waste permit. Before it makes a decision on the application the EA has declared a period of public consultation on the application which will end on 16th July. As an environmental permit is a necessary pre-requisite for the issue of a drilling permit by the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC), Cuadrilla cannot now receive drilling consent before late July at the earliest.

In addition Cuadrilla is applying for a permit to manage waste water which may contain naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs). This application will also be subject to public consultation which may further delay the issue of drilling consent.

More information is available on the EA website: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/.

You may comment on Cuadrilla’s proposals by sending an email to PSCpublicresponse@environment=agency.gov.uk

or by writing to: P&SC – EP Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF