Planing expires on the 31st October 2016. The site remains un-restored and is likely to join Cuadrilla’s long list of planning breaches.
Update Nov 2015 – Cuadrilla have said that they will abandon this site and will not carry out pressure testing as planned. Cuadrilla are now pursuing two new sites at Preston New Road and Roseacre. These applications have implications for the whole of the UK and Ireland. Read more…
Planning permission for drilling and fracking at Banks was originally granted on 20 October 2010. Drilling started on the 28th March 2011 and was interrupted on 2nd Nov 2011 when residents and campaigners occupied the drill rig. On the same day Cuadrilla admitted that it was “highly probable” that fracking at Preese Hall had caused two small earthquakes and hundreds of anti-fracking activists disrupted a fracking conference in London.
An application to extend the time period for the completion of well testing (by fracking) and site restoration was submitted on 19th September 2012. A screening opinion was undertaken which concluded that the proposal would require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). On the 6th June 2013 Cuadrilla submitted a revised application but this remains undetermined as an EIA had not been carried out.
Cuadrilla backed away from fracking at Banks but submitted a proposal to install pressure monitors requiring the well to be perforated using explosive charges and for existing fluids within the well to be re-circulated. A workover rig, generators and pumps was needed to carry out the work. The application (LCC/2014/0047) was granted on 23rd September 2014 but was not issued!
Becconsall Exploration Site, Banks Enclosed Marsh, Bonny Barn Road, Hundred End
Planning Applications
Click on the column headers to reorder table columns.
| Licensee | Planning ID | Notes | Submitted | Decision | Status | Consultation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuadrilla Resources | 08/10/0973 | Temporary Change Of Use From Agriculture To Site For Drilling An Exploratory Borehole & Testing For Hydrocarbons Including Construction Of A Drilling Platform. | 26/07/2010 | 16/08/2010 | Expired | Closed |
| Cuadrilla Resources | 08/12/1032 | Variation Of Condition 1 Of Planning Permission 08/10/0973 To Extend The Period Of Time For The Testing For Hydrocarbons In The Drilled Exploratory Borehole And Restoration Of The Site By A Further 18 Months Until 28 March 2014 | 19/09/2012 | 10/10/2012 | Withdrawn | Closed |
| Cuadrilla Resources | LCC/2014/0047 | Permission Is Sought For The Retention Of The Site Compound And Access Track For A Further 3 Years To Allow Pressure Monitoring Of The Bowland Shale Reservoir, Followed By Plugging And Abandonment Of The Existing Exploratory Well And Site Restoration. | 27/03/2014 | 23/09/2014 | Granted | Closed |
Environmental Permits
No associated permits. Is this information up-to-date? Let us know!