Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors are to press for Calderdale Council to take a tougher stance on fracking.

Both groups will next week ask council officers to “take all possible steps” to protect Calderdale’s environment and people from problems arising from the controversial mining method.

They want the authority to consider the environment when looking at any possible applications for the extraction of shale gas.

Clr Dan Sutherland, who has tabled the Labour motion, said: “We have major concerns about safety and the environmental threat from fracking.

“We also believe that it is irresponsible of the Government to encourage and promote massive investment in fracking when the clear message from climate scientists is that we need to reduce carbon emissions to protect our long term future.

“Whilst we must consider any specific application on its merits, we think the time is right to set out our general position. We also want to ask officers to work now on developing the council’s policies and understanding, so that we have the right framework in place to respond to any future proposals that may arise.”

The Liberal Democrats want the council to take a pro-active stance against fracking.

The motion put forward by the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Clr James Baker (Warley), will be discussed at next week’s council meeting.

He said: “We know that burning fossil fuels contributes towards climate change through the release of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere.

“We should be doing more to develop clean, green sustainable energy rather than trying to extract more fossil fuels through fracking.

“Although there are no immediate plans for fracking in Calderdale, I want the council to be pro-active and make a stand now”.