WARRINGTON Borough Council looks set to unanimously oppose local fracking at its next meeting on Monday, October 31.
The controlling Labour group and the Liberal Democrats have both tabled motions opposing fracking – and the opposition Conservative group have indicated they will join with the other two parties.
Cllr Nigel Balding, leader of the Conservative group said: “With a Conservative government proposing to lift the moratorium on fracking nationally, residents might think this would put Warrington Conservative councillors in a difficult position.
“But we would like to reassure residents.”
Cllr Balding, from Birchwood, said: “The government has made it clear that hydraulic fracking will only go ahead where there is local support.
“The overwhelming feedback to Conservative councillors is that residents would not give their consent.
“For some communities local fracking may make sense. There would be financial benefits and environmentally it is better to use gas produced locally rather than gas shipped half way around the world.
“ However, for a population centre like the borough of Warrington, any benefits would be outweighed by the disruption caused so I am happy to join with other councillors in asking Warrington Borough Council to oppose fracking in our area.
“Having spoken with many residents locally, I’m confident that when energy companies ask Warrington for their support to drill for gas here, they will be politely asked to frack somewhere else.”
