Fracking in northern England was temporarily delayed once more early this week after a local anti-fracking campaigner lodged a request to a UK court for an injunction to stop work at Cuadrilla Resources’ Preston New Road shale gas exploration site in Lancashire.

UK explorer Cuadrilla was expected to begin hydraulic fracturing this week after gaining consent from the government for its two-well project.

However, the site has been the scene of repeated protests from campaigners who object to fracking and its potential impact on the environment. Last week, campaigner Bob Dennett from Lytham lodged papers seeking an injunction to halt operations, claiming there was “no clear and robust plan” to evacuate residents in the event of an earthquake resulting from fracking.

As a result, Cuadrilla had to pause its plans pending the hearing.

“We understand the hearing about whether an interim injunction should be granted has been set and we should not start hydraulic fracturing operations before then, which we were not planning to do in any event,” Cuadrilla said. “This is clearly a last ditch attempt at delaying our efforts to find a new source of much-needed natural gas for the UK, which is a national imperative.

“We consider that the grounds for judicial review are hopelessly weak and will vigorously defend any call for an injunction.

“We remain confident that we and Lancashire County Council have undertaken all necessary risk assessments and have thorough emergency response safety procedures in place,” it said.

A spokesman added that the company is drill-ready as soon as the court offers clarity on the possible injunction.

The injunction bid was due to be heard at the High Court after Upstream went to press. If the injunction is thrown out, Cuadrilla will become the first operator to conduct fracking operations in the UK since a moratorium was put on the controversial technique in 2011 following earth tremors.

However, the company’s plans have been beset with controversy as its applications were initially denied, before the UK government intervened to approve them. There have also been several lawsuits filed by local community groups trying to halt operations, as well as lawsuits filed by Cuadrilla trying to keep protesters from trespassing.

Both Cuadrilla’s wells in Lancashire have already been drilled and completed and are now due to be hydraulically fractured. The company then plans to run an initial flow test of the gas produced from both wells for approximately six months, aiming to demonstrate the project can be moved from exploration into commercial production.

Francis Egan, Cuadrilla’s chief executive, said: “The start of hydraulic fracturing is the final milestone in the journey to assessing the flow rates of natural gas from our Lancashire shale exploration wells.

“On completion of hydraulic fracturing and commencement of gas flow, we expect to have, in the first quarter of next year, an initial assessment of how much natural gas is likely to be recoverable from these first Lancashire shale wells.

“This will allow us to make an assessment of the commercial viability and future of this exploration site,” Egan said.

The ruling Conservative government has been pushing for the fast-track exploration of shale gas in England, sparking an increasing number of protests.

Last week, three men were sentenced to jail for more than a year after being detained for taking part in an anti-fracking protest in northern England, in which they climbed onto lorries to stop operations.

About 200 supporters marched outside the prison where they are being held, continuing to protest against fracking as well as the unusually harsh sentences handed out by the judge.

The three men are due to appeal their sentences.