The prospects for UK shale gas have never looked bleaker | Damian Carrington

Cuadrilla are almost certain to appeal Lancashire county council's decision, but the nascent fracking industry in the UK may never recover from this blow

Be in no doubt, it is a seismic decision. Nine county councillors have defied the full-throated backing of David Cameron, well over 100m of spending from shale gas firm Cuadrilla and their own planning officers to reject plans for the UK's first full-scale fracking.

Cuadrilla are near certain to appeal, but the nascent fracking industry in the UK may never recover from this blow. Councillors around the country will feel emboldened to stand up to the intense national pressure to back fracking. In the future, this may well be seen as the day the fracking dream died.