As the Prime Minister has said about the possibility of fracking returning to Lancashire, there are a number of areas in which more sites could be built.

Data has shown that there are 17 fracking licences in the county – including three in East Lancashire.

Since her appointment, the new Prime Minister Liz Truss has said she is looking to re-open fracking sites amid the energy crisis.

Lancashire Telegraph: A map created by Friends of the Earth that shows were fracking could take place and groups who are against fracking, The red shows the areas where fracking could take place. The purple pins are where anti-fracking groups are located. Credit: Friends of the EarthA map created by Friends of the Earth that shows were fracking could take place and groups who are against fracking, The red shows the areas where fracking could take place. The purple pins are where anti-fracking groups are located. Credit: Friends of the Earth (Image: Friends of the Earth)

Currently, there are just two fracking sites in the UK, both of which are in Lancashire, but the Government ordered that these be sealed in 2019.

The licences mean that if needed more fracking sites could be constructed in parts of Lancashire.

  • West Lancashire: 3
  • Fylde: 2
  • South Ribble: 2
  • Chorley: 2
  • Ribble Valley: 2
  • Wyre:  2
  • Preston: 1
  • Lancaster: 1
  • Blackpool: 1
  • Blackburn with Darwen: 1
  • Hyndburn: 0
  • Burnley: 0
  • Pendle: 0
  • Rossendale: 0

Firm Cuadrilla, which operates the Preston New Road and Elswick sites, had been under instruction to plug its wells in Lancashire by the end of June 2022, but the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) has given them until the end of June 2023 to evaluate options.

Lancashire Telegraph: Protesters (left to right) Tina Rothey, Tracey Booker, Julie Daniels with dog Lizzie and Pauline Jones at the fracking site in Preston New Road, Little Plumpton, near Blackpool. Credit: PAProtesters (left to right) Tina Rothey, Tracey Booker, Julie Daniels with dog Lizzie and Pauline Jones at the fracking site in Preston New Road, Little Plumpton, near Blackpool. Credit: PA (Image: PA)

Many in Lancashire are heavily opposed to fracking, with locals from the Preston New Road site in Little Plumpton having chained themselves to the fence and protested 24/7 outside the site until the ban.

Speaking on BBC Radio Lancashire on September 29, the Prime Minister insisted that fracking would only return with local consent, however many campaigning groups have already been very vocal about their anger at the plans.

Lancashire MPs, including Conservative MPs Mark Menzies and Scott Benton, have objected to the plans for a potential return of fracking in the county.