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| Cuadrilla bid for first UK fracking in four years debated | Cuadrilla bid for first UK fracking in four years debated |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A bid to start the first fracking operation in the UK for four years will be scrutinised by a council later. | A bid to start the first fracking operation in the UK for four years will be scrutinised by a council later. |
| Energy firm Cuadrilla wants to extract shale gas at Little Plumpton and Roseacre Wood on the Fylde Coast, in Lancashire. | Energy firm Cuadrilla wants to extract shale gas at Little Plumpton and Roseacre Wood on the Fylde Coast, in Lancashire. |
| The county council will meet later to consider the bid, after fracking was suspended in the UK in 2011. | The county council will meet later to consider the bid, after fracking was suspended in the UK in 2011. |
| Up to 2,000 people are expected to protest outside the hearing in Preston. | Up to 2,000 people are expected to protest outside the hearing in Preston. |
| The application for Little Plumpton was recommended for approval last week, but Roseacre Wood has been recommended for refusal. | The application for Little Plumpton was recommended for approval last week, but Roseacre Wood has been recommended for refusal. |
| A decision on the former is due on Wednesday. | A decision on the former is due on Wednesday. |
| On Monday, the council was sent a letter on behalf of 850 elected officials in New York State, urging the authority to block Cuadrilla's application and describing fracking as "a dirty and dangerous industry". | On Monday, the council was sent a letter on behalf of 850 elected officials in New York State, urging the authority to block Cuadrilla's application and describing fracking as "a dirty and dangerous industry". |
| Cuadrilla countered that the officials had no knowledge of its applications and should not interfere "in the democratic process". | Cuadrilla countered that the officials had no knowledge of its applications and should not interfere "in the democratic process". |
| A further letter was sent to the council from the Upstate New York Towns Association, encouraging them to allow "responsible, modern shale development". | |
| Ahead of the hearings at County Hall in Preston, which are expected to last for four days, police are increasing patrols, with officers being brought in from surrounding areas. | Ahead of the hearings at County Hall in Preston, which are expected to last for four days, police are increasing patrols, with officers being brought in from surrounding areas. |
| Ch Supt James Lee said leaflets for the protest had been handed out as far away as London, during the weekend's anti-austerity protest in the capital. | Ch Supt James Lee said leaflets for the protest had been handed out as far away as London, during the weekend's anti-austerity protest in the capital. |
| He declined to confirm how many extra officers would be drafted in, but said the force was preparing for "a big impact on policing". | He declined to confirm how many extra officers would be drafted in, but said the force was preparing for "a big impact on policing". |
| 'D-Day for fracking' | 'D-Day for fracking' |
| Steve Becker, BBC Radio Lancashire | Steve Becker, BBC Radio Lancashire |
| It has taken over four years to get to this stage, since fracking was suspended when it was linked to two earth tremors in Blackpool where Cuadrilla previously drilled. | It has taken over four years to get to this stage, since fracking was suspended when it was linked to two earth tremors in Blackpool where Cuadrilla previously drilled. |
| Retired management consultant Pat Davies started the Preston New Road Action Group at Little Plumpton primarily to find out more about shale gas extraction. | Retired management consultant Pat Davies started the Preston New Road Action Group at Little Plumpton primarily to find out more about shale gas extraction. |
| "I had no idea it would become a full-time campaigning job," she said. "It's harder than being at work!" | "I had no idea it would become a full-time campaigning job," she said. "It's harder than being at work!" |
| Her home, close to the proposed fracking site, has become campaign HQ for local residents fighting the proposal | Her home, close to the proposed fracking site, has become campaign HQ for local residents fighting the proposal |
| There were glum faces there after the recent approval recommendation. | There were glum faces there after the recent approval recommendation. |
| Some members have considered moving house if fracking happens, although there's concern about property values already being affected. | Some members have considered moving house if fracking happens, although there's concern about property values already being affected. |
| Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, he added: "We've got enough numbers out there to make a difference. | Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, he added: "We've got enough numbers out there to make a difference. |
| "We will scale up to whatever incidents happen on the day. We understand people aren't happy and will gather in numbers, from 500 anywhere up to 2,000. | "We will scale up to whatever incidents happen on the day. We understand people aren't happy and will gather in numbers, from 500 anywhere up to 2,000. |
| "Hopefully it will be a peaceful protest." | "Hopefully it will be a peaceful protest." |
| Buses will be diverted away from Fishergate during the protest. | Buses will be diverted away from Fishergate during the protest. |