Vivienne Westwood, Mark Ruffalo and Colin Firth lead open letter urging David Cameron to stand up against fracking

'Fracking pollutes drinking water and destroys the national habitat by putting toxic chemicals into the ground,' says Westwood

The government has come under fire from both Labour and environmental groups who argue it has neglected the wishes of local communities (PA)

Vivienne Westwood, Mark Ruffalo and Colin Firth have signed an open letter to David Cameron urging him not to allow the government to press ahead with fracking in communities that have already rejected it.

Lancashire residents and councillors voted against planning applications by energy company Cuadrilla to drill on two sites for shale gas last year. Despite this, Cuadrilla have attempted to overturn Lancashire County Council’s planning rejection during a public inquiry that ends tomorrow.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government Greg Clark has the final call in the decision.

Westwood has protested against fracking on a number of occasions and once drove a tank to the Prime Minister's house in a demonstration against fracking licenses being issued across 1,000 square miles of northern England.

The veteran fashion designer told the Independent: “We must stand up against political decision-making in the name of big business, in the on-going and more important than ever fight against a profit over people economy, the destruction of our natural environment, and the myth proclaimed by the oil and gas industry that fracking is safe.

“Fracking pollutes drinking water and destroys the national habitat by putting toxic chemicals into the ground. We must fight for a quick end to fossil fuels extraction and consumption, not by the end of the century but as soon as possible.

“What the world needs is a sustainable Green Economy and a real commitment by us all to think and act towards this life-saving goal.”

In the attempt to keep Lancashire free from fracking, scientists, experts, councilors and local residents have put forward their arguments during the public inquiry which has run over the past five weeks.

The government has come under fire from both Labour and environmental groups who argue it has neglected the wishes of local communities.

The letter, which has also been signed by Bianca Jagger, Felicity Blunt, Rupert Friend says, “We urge you and Communities Secretary Greg Clark to respect Lancashire’s decision and let their rejection of fracking stand”.

Joseph Corre, founder of Talk Fracking, argued that what happens in Lancashire will set a precedent for everywhere else across England.

"If proceedings go against the people of Lancashire, residents are not prepared to accept the industrialisation of swathes of the countryside nor the risks to public health, local homes and businesses, and to the environment," Corre told The Independent.

Downing Street did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Open Letter To David Cameron:

Dear Prime Minister,

Lancashire residents and their locally elected representatives in the County Council voted overwhelmingly – just months ago – to reject the fracking applications by Cuadrilla. You have said communities would have a voice in whether fracking would happen near them, but now their decision is at risk of being overturned by your Government following the planning inquiry which finishes tomorrow.

We are writing to ask that you keep your promise to let local voices and councils decide about fracking applications. We join the tens of thousands of people who have signed Friends of the Earth’s petition urging you not to overturn Lancashire’s local, democratic decision.

In the United States fracking has caused thousands of cases of groundwater and surface water contamination, made many people sick, has been linked to infant health issues, serious air pollution problems, and more. Lancashire knows the impacts of fracking first-hand, having experienced earthquakes the only time fracking has been done in the United Kingdom five years ago. Since then, science has revealed that fracking poses significant public health and environmental risks and harms. Last year, New York State banned fracking after performing the first public health review.

When fracking can cause such damage, it should not be forced on communities that do not want it. France, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Ireland, and parts of Canada, Spain, and Switzerland, Scotland and Wales have all banned or suspended fracking while the risks are examined. England should look at the risks and take heed as well.

We urge you and Communities Secretary Greg Clark to respect Lancashire’s decision and let their rejection of fracking stand.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Ruffalo, Colin Firth, Livia Firth Vivienne Westwood, Bianca Jagger, Taron Egerton Rupert Friend, Aimee Mullins, Felicity Blunt