Telegraph: Blow for George Osborne as Tory council chiefs oppose fracking in Chancellor’s constituency
George Osborne's hopes of a British shale gas boom have been dealt a blow after Tory council chiefs indicated they would oppose fracking in the Chancellor’s own shale-rich Tatton constituency.
Mr Osborne has been the government’s most vocal advocate of fracking, which he believes can lower energy bills and create thousands of jobs.
Maps published by the British Geological Survey last year show the entire area covered by the Tatton constituency as being highly prospective for shale gas.
But Cheshire East council, which covers the majority of the Tatton, has declared it will remain “fracking-free”, while the leader of Cheshire West and Chester council, which covers the remainder of the seat, said he “wouldn’t be minded to support” fracking unless cash benefits for communities were increased. MORE