Former fracking site becomes fly-tipping hotspot

A pile of rubbish has been dumped outside the entrance of a former fracking site in Fylde, Lancashire

A heap of rubbish has appeared outside a former fracking site in Fylde, Lancashire prompting concerns over fly-tipping in the area.

Beds, broken cupboards and building materials are among the items that have been dumped at the entrance to the now abandoned facility on Preston New Road in Little Plumpton.

The waste stretches across the short piece of road between the highway and the site gate is now inching towards the main road.

The amount of rubbish left there has been added to in the days since it first appeared.

Local concern

Fylde Council said it was aware of the fly-tipping on Preston New Road, which was currently on private land.

It added: "We have been in touch with the landowner to remove the rubbish and will provide support where necessary."

Cuadrilla - which had been one of the leading hydraulic fracturing companies in the UK until the process was banned over fears it could cause earth tremors - has been approached for comment.

The firm has been given until 8 December to plug its shale gas wells at Preston New Road, which was the UK's first horizontal fracking site.

The company has been told the site must be returned to agricultural land by June 2025.

Earlier this month local residents said they were frustrated over how long it was taking to dismantle it.

There are concerns unscrupulous firms and individuals may see the site as an easy place to deposit waste unlawfully, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.