Cuadrilla’s plans to start fracking had been halted after the process caused minor earthquakes at another site

Fracking is due to start in September after the government gave final approval for the procedure at a site in Lancashire.

Cuadrilla has received permission to carry out the first fracking since it was temporarily banned in 2011 when the shale gas company caused minor earthquakes at another site in the same area.

Claire Perry, the energy minister, said that Cuadrilla had met all the necessary environmental and health-and-safety measures required to give fracking the go-ahead at Preston New Road near Blackpool.

However, certain conditions still have to be met, including supplying the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with the latest accounts for its co-investor Spirit Energy and a deposit to cover the cost of decommissioning the site.

Cuadrilla said that it could