Legal News

The head of Public Heath Lancashire, Dr Sakti Karunanithi, has warned that fracking in Preston may impact on the mental health of residents.

BBC News reports that energy company Cuadrilla has applied to frack on two sites in Lancashire – but Lancashire County Council has delayed a decision on the applications.

CEO of Cuadrilla Francis Egan has denied that fracking – which involves drilling for shale gas – would pose any risk to the health of local residents.

But a report by Dr Karunanithi identifies a lack of public trust and confidence in fracking – as well as stress and anxiety from the uncertainty, which could lead to poor mental wellbeing. Dr Karunanithi also says that noise from drilling could have health implications for nearby residents.

"While there is a lot of focus on the environmental health, it isn't actually a statutory requirement through our planning and regulatory regime to consider health and wellbeing holistically,” said Dr Karunanithi.

“Lancashire County Council is responsible for protecting the public's health, so amidst lots of concerns there was a need for us to understand what the potential impacts on health and wellbeing could be.”

The council’s decisions on the two applications for fracking sites may be delayed until this December and January 2015.

Francis Egan of fracking company Cuadrilla said he “understood” how the public and residents in Preston might react to fracking taking place near their homes:

“Our activities themselves will not cause people to have health problems – though I understand the stress, because they are hearing lots of scare stories about what we are doing.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on access to services, as well as detention under the Mental Health Act.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may also be able to advise the Nearest Relative or carer of a mental health patient on mental health law, including how to initiate a treatment review, where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health care, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.