The U.K. has rejectedthesecond shale gas explorationproject byCuadrilla Resourceswhich had the potential of beingone of the U.K.'s first shale gas production sites,Monday.
The rejection for exploration atPreston New Road in Lancashire, in the northwest of Englandcame just four days after local authorities refused the company's previous application for shale gas exploration in Roseacre Wood near Blackpool in northwest England.
"We are surprised and disappointed that Lancashire County Council’s Development Control Committee has denied planning consent for our application to explore for shale gas at Preston New Road,"the company's statement read.
A negative decision was returned despitethe company's claims that it completed "themost comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessmentsever carried out for operations of this kind."
The officerswent through the4,000 page Environmental Statement that accompanied the company'sapplication and conducted widespread public consultation, which led to their positive recommendation, the company said.
The company announced their intention toconsider all optionsregarding an appeal for the two rejected applications, the recent projectat Preston New Road and at Roseacre Woodwhich was rejected on June 25,Cuadrilla said.
"It is regrettable that the County Council has decided not to support this application in the face of positive recommendation from all regulators and their own officers,"Cuadrilla concluded.
(Anadolu Agency)
