'Locals' and Fracking

I have never been convinced about the 'benefits' of fracking,  particularly in the case of a small, crowded island like the UK. So it is somewhat reassuring to hear reports that the Greater Manchester Council (hardly an area to be 'anti-industry') is to indicate that there will be a presumption against granting planning permissions for any such activities in its area (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/04/greater-manchester-tells-fracking-firms-they-are-not-welcome ). If the establishment of city councils with elected mayors is to have any relevance, they should be able to rule on issues such as fracking in their area (after all, they must take into account the strong reasoned antipathy to this development of their local electorate). It is even more a source of encouragement that other city councils in the UK appear to be taking or planning similar actions.