Fracking campaigners hit by injunction

A JUDGE at the High Court in Manchester has imposed an interim injunction preventing anti-fracking protestors from occupying farmland at two Cuadrilla sites in Lancashire.

The energy firm has already submitted plans to drill, frack and test the flow of gas at Roseacre Wood north of Kirkham and at Little Plumpton, near Blackpool.

Protestors, who argue fracking can pollute air and water, set up a temporary camp two weeks ago in a field off Preston New Road, Blackpool, which they said will be used as an access route to Cuadrilla’s planned operation at Little Plumpton.

They have already left but on Thursday the judge granted a claim for possession against trespassers as well as an injunction on any future action on property held by three farms and a landowner at and around the two Cuadrilla sites.

The injunction will be reviewed at a hearing in early October to give the defence more time.

Cuadrilla’s chief executive Francis Egan said: “We welcome the judge’s verdict to uphold the claim against illegal trespass on local farmland and we were pleased to support the landowners in these legal proceedings.

“We hope the court’s ruling will help deter this kind of unlawful behaviour in the future which has already had a detrimental impact on a local farmer’s business.”

Cuadrilla made the claim along with: the Wensley family of Plumpton Hall Farm at Little Plumpton; the Gardners of Moss House Farm, Great Plumpton; the Pickervances of Roseacre Hall Farm; and the Rigbys of The Windmill in Wrea Green.

It was served against people “entering or remaining or intending to enter and remain without the consent of the claimants” on land at Little Plumpton and Roseacre.

The campaigners were preparing a statement at the time of publication.

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