If they decide against that would create a very strange...

If they decide against that would create a very strange situation.

National government; creating legislation pro shale, giving out licenses, EA and others giving the permits

Local / Regional bodies; 'no, you can not drive trucks on our road system' Who's trucks are too many? Trucks supplying supermarkets ? Milk trucks? other? Is that reasonable?
And, also, you make noise. So please leave.
Noise that is lower then any of the current farming activities by the way.
And you want to flare. So leave.
The same flaring installation that is on the plot next to Cuadrilla for bio-methane by the way.

And at the same time government is about to grant new licenses for the 14th round, further inviting parties to explore.

Does Lancashire County Council really have the power to stop this? Anarchy. That's what this is.
The previous advise was to not allow it to happen.

The system should be that government has allowed it on all levels, and the EA has given permits. Then it is on the explorer to put forward a plan to the Council, which is then obliged to work to the best solution for the Council. So they have full input and a full say in the actual situation. But it is not on them to refuse it. They have to agree to a workable solution.
Only this way it can be prevented that some Nimbys stop a National Energy Policy. Before we know it 4 housewives and 2 retired school teachers keep a country like the UK from having energy independence. That would really be something!