Shale gas company Cuadrilla Bowland Ltd has surrendered its exploration permit for the Bowland Basin in Preston, Lancashire.
MORATORIUM
The Environment Agency (EA) said today that the company, owned by Australian mining and infrastructure company AJ Lucas, had returned the site to a satisfactory state.
The EA added that Cuadrilla had also taken necessary steps to avoid a risk of pollution.
The company conducted hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, at the site until it suspended operations following protests over earthquakes.
In November 2019, the Government imposed a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in England, which is still in place.
OFFICES
The environmental permit ended on 27 November and Cuadrilla will need to apply for a new one if it wishes to conduct any future activities.
The company has also moved its offices from Bamber Bridge near Preston to Wythenshawe in Manchester. The company’s headquarters were originally in Lichfield, Staffordshire.