A WIRRAL MP has “grave concerns” for the peninsula’s coastline after campaigners fighting a Government decision to approve a fracking site in Lancashire lost a High Court action.

Preston New Road Action Group had urged a judge to find the decision to grant a planning application for the site in Fylde was not fair or lawful.

But on Wednesday at a hearing in London Mr Justice Dove dismissed their case at judicial review.

Wirral Globe:

Giving his ruling, he said none of the grounds argued “have been made out in substance.”

There are now fears the court's decision could pave the way for fracking to take place at other sites across the North West.

West Wirral MP Margaret Greenwood said: “People across Wirral obviously will have concerns about the implications of this decision for the area.

“I have grave concerns that the Government will push ahead with fracking regardless of the environmental considerations and in the face of opposition from people who live nearby and from further afield.

“This decision will potentially have implications for underground coal gasification too.

“I will continue to monitor and oppose any moves to push ahead with Underground Coal Gasification in the Dee or along the Wirral coastline.”

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Flashback: Margaret Greenwood with Lord Prescott at West Kirby beach in the 2015 election campaign

In the build-up to the 2015 general election Ms Greenwood was a high-profile campaigner against fracking in the Dee Estuary, where an exploration licence had been granted.

Yesterday's High Court ruling has dismayed environmentalists.

Elisabeth Whitebread, a Greenpeace UK energy campaigner, said: "Lancashire said no to fracking from the start.

"But the Government overruled local people and the local council.

"In this legal challenge Preston New Road Action Group has represented thousands of people.

"Ordinary members of the community have been peacefully opposing fracking for six years - and they won't stop now."

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