Fracking sites will put off 64% of buyers, research claims

The government’s recent decision to give fracking the green light in Lancashire has been attacked by various groups including local communities, farmers and environmentalists. But now perhaps agents should be worried about shale gas extraction as well. Research out this afternoon reveals that over two thirds of British home buyers would be reluctant to buy a property near a fracking site. This may be bad news for agents trying to sell homes near the fracking sites in Lancashire as well as others around the UK including in Sussex. The first sanctioned site operated by fracking firm Cuadrilla is to be near Preston New Road close to Blackpool. A second site in nearby Treales, seven miles from Preston, has yet to be approved. The research by house-extension.co.uk found that 21% of the 1,000 respondents to its survey were “unlikely” to buy a home near a fracking site while 43% said they were “very unlikely” although 32% of those who took part said they’d support fracking if it meant lower energy bills in the UK. One enthusiastic supporter of fracking is Sajid Javid, Minister for Communities and Local Government, who said the green light was given to fracking for its “potential to power economic growth,…