What a fracking inquiry in Fylde tells us about planning, politics and power

A recent public hearing in Lancashire highlights the limits of evidence in determining the pros and cons of fracking

In the run-up to Easter, I spent several weeks at Blackpool FC's Bloomfield Road stadium, watching an appeal hearing unfold into plans to frack two exploratory wells in the Fylde region of Lancashire. On one side of the room sat Cuadrilla, occasionally joined by the North West Lancashire Chambers of Commerce. Lined up opposite were Lancashire County Council, often accompanied by Friends of the Earth and two local grassroots campaigns: Roseacre Awareness Group and Preston New Road Action Group.

In the middle sat the planning inspector, Wendy McKay. At the back stood a well-staffed security team; thankfully not required, though who knows what their presence deterred. And out of shot sat the ultimate decision maker, Greg Clark MP, secretary of state for communities and local government, who will be informed but not bound by McKay's eventual recommendation.