Fracking protest in England

People walk past anti-fracking messages written on a wall during a demonstration outside Lancashire County Hall in northwest England, against the applications from energy firm Cuadrilla to start two fracking operations on nearby sites.

(PAUL ELLIS / AFP/Getty Images)

June 24, 2015 8:03 AM PT

Hundreds of people protested against a proposed fracking site in Lancashire, as the county council considered whether to approve the project. If approved, it would be the first onshore hydraulic fracturing for shale gas in Western Europe since 2011.

Anti-fracking protesters lay at the entrance to the County Hall in Preston, as the Lancashire County Council was deciding on two planning applications that could set a precedent for fracking plans in Britain.

(NIGEL RODDIS / EPA)

Anti-fracking protesters listen as English fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood speaks during a demonstration outside Lancashire County Hall in northwest England.

(LINDSEY PARNABY / AFP/Getty Images)

A cyclist gestures to demonstrators outside Lancashire County Hall who are protesting against the applications from energy firm Cuadrilla to start two fracking operations in the U.K. on nearby sites.

(PAUL ELLIS / AFP/Getty Images)

An anti-fracking protester has her face painted outside the County Hall in Preston.

(NIGEL RODDIS / EPA)

An anti-fracking protester dressed as a polar bear holds a sign reading “Don’t Frack Lancs” outside the County Hall in Preston, England.

(NIGEL RODDIS / EPA)

An anti-fracking demonstrator writes messages on a wall outside Lancashire County Hall in northwest England.

(PAUL ELLIS / AFP/Getty Images)