A London council is aiming to become the first in the UK to ban fracking.
Brent has backed concerns raised by Friends of the Earth about the dangers of drilling with pressurised water and sand to extract natural gas from shale rock.
Campaigners and residents fear that fracking can lead to mild earthquakes, cause large quantities of methane gas to be released and poison the water table.
There are also concerns at the lack of regulation of the industry. Environmentalists fear a site in Edgware could be targeted by mining companies.
Brent’s Labour leader Muhammed Butt said: “While there may be advantages to fracking in some parts of the country it would be dangerous and reckless for companies to start drilling in Brent. I will do everything legally within my power to address the concerns of residents and keep Brent a frack-free zone.”
Brent will investigate whether it can use planning laws or powers under the Localism Act to block fracking — also known as hydraulic fracturing — within its borders.
“Councils have significant and widespread powers which allow us to stand up for the rights of residents,” Mr Butt said, adding: “I am determined to use these powers to help reassure people that fracking in Brent will always be a non-starter.
“While fracking may not be planned for Brent yet, the rapid pace and scale of fracking technology means that we need to act now if we are to ensure we have the necessary examination of the powers we have to potentially prevent it from happening in the future.”
The council’s action come as Public Health England admitted no British studies existed into the safety of fracking.
US evidence found fracking was a “significant source” of air pollutants and higher levels of ozone.
However, Public Health England said the risks to people’s health from fracking were low as long as the process was “properly run and regulated”.
