COUNTY councillors have delayed the first of two controversial decisions on fracking until Monday to consider legal advice.

They had been due to rule last night on whether to allow the process of drilling for shale gas at Preston New Road, Little Plumpton near Blackpool.

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But after two days of bitter debate and a confusing series of votes, members of the authority’s development-control committee decided to defer the final decision until Monday. It is one of two applications to frack by energy firm Cuadrilla at the sites between Preston and Blackpool.

Planning officials had recommended approval for Little Plumpton, subject to conditions on hours of working, control of noise and highway matters.

A second application for drilling, at nearby Roseacre Wood, will be debated today and tomorrow. Officials have recommended this application be rejected.

The council’s decisions are seen as test cases for similar bids to frack for the rest of the UK, prompting protests outside County Hall, Preston.

In June 2013 a study by the British Geological Survey identified the M65 corridor north of Blackburn through Burnley to Colne and down the Rossendale valley as sitting on sufficient shale gas reserves to make fracking viable.

Adjournment of the Preston New Road decision to Monday was moved by Cllr Paul Hayhurst (Fylde West). An earlier move by the Independent to overturn the officers’ recommendation for approval of Cuadrilla’s application for Preston New Road was defeated on committee chairman and Accrington West councillor Munsif Dad’s casting vote.

Cllr Marcus Johnstone (Padiham & Burnley West) said a decision must be made in accordance with planning law.