Cuadrilla has been exploring shale gas options in Lancashire

A network of 88 fracking monitoring installations could be installed on the Western edge of Preston.

Cuadrilla also proposes to drill three pairs of boreholes around its perimeter of the Roseacre site, presented in its application to Preston City Council.

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The site is 400 metres south-east of the village of Roseacre and 800m north-west of the village of Whales in the countryside between Preston and Blackpool.

Each of the senors, known as an array point, will take up to two days to install.

Eight of the sites are to be above ground with the 80 others buried in fields within a 4km radius of the proposed Roseacre fracking site.

The monitoring system is being introduced after on April 1 in 2011 the Blackpool area experienced an earthquake following the activity at Cuadrilla’s Preese Hall site.

A second smaller earthquake followed on 27 May in the same year following more fracking at the same well.

This led to the government stopping all fracking activity until December 2012 when it was recommended the ban be lifted, as long as new safety procedures were followed.

Cuadrilla say the monitoring site is part of government-imposed safety measures, including a traffic light system aimed at detecting seismic activity caused by the drilling.

Amber, which would mean a small amount of seismic activity is identified would see increased monitoring and reduced levels of fracking. While a red signal would suspend the action immediately.

The report on the monitoring sites states: “The seismic array and monitoring wells are in themselves mitigation works to the proposed exploration works at the Roseacre Wood Site. It is therefore imperative that these mitigation works are undertaken to mitigate environmental risks and potential impacts associated with the proposed exploration works.

“The proposals demonstrate Cuadrilla’s commitment to responding to the recommendations of the Royal Society report and best practice measures.”

The planning application for the Roseacre Wood’s well to drill for shale gas is still lodged with Lancashire County Council and the consultation period has been extended.

A statement from a Lancashire County Council spokesman said: “The county council has been asked to consider an extension to the consultation period in view of the size of the supporting documents to the applications. The council believes it is appropriate to allow consultees from public bodies, individuals and local interest groups additional time to consider the proposals and express their views.

“The consultation for the Preston New Road site will now run until Friday 5 September and the Roseacre Wood consultation until Friday 19 September. The council welcomes comments from the public and interested groups on the applications.

“Changes to the consultation period will be advertised in the press, notices posted on the land, and those properties previously notified will be advised of the changes. Any views that have been expressed to date will still be taken into account as part of the assessment of the applications.”

Watch a video showing the location of the Roseacre site, if you’re on our app click here to watch

A statement on the Cuadrilla website about the Roseacre site says: “We have identified two new locations, which we propose to develop as new exploration sites by drilling, hydraulically fracturing and testing the flow of gas from four new exploration wells at each of these sites.

“One of those proposed new exploration sites is Roseacre Wood, in the parish of Treales, Roseacre and Wharles. Hydraulically fracturing and testing the flow of gas at Roseacre Wood will help us to determine how much natural gas could be extracted from the shale rock that lies over a mile beneath the surface.”

Anti-fracking protests have taken place a number of times in Preston, most recently on the Flag Market.

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Preston City Council has indicated it “cautiously accepts” fracking in the area, saying the economic benefits to the city could transform the local economy.

The full planning application for Roseacre Wood can be viewed on the Lancashire County Council website.

Let us know your views in the comments below, do you support fracking near Preston or not?