Lancashire fracking: appeal against refusal may take 16 months

Long wait will further delay government energy plans following councillors' rejection of Cuadrilla scheme to frack at two sites in Fylde

Ministers have been told they may have to wait at least 16 months before learning whether fracking will be allowed in Lancashire, in a severe blow to the government's energy plans.

Civil servants are concerned that the appeal process against a decision to reject applications at two sites in the county will not conclude until November 2016 at the earliest.