Fracking controls ‘removed in dash for unconventional energy resources’
I am fascinated (and you will know I don’t really like the worst excesses of the work of planners) by the way this Government is prepared to ride roughshod over local determination of key issues where it thinks it might stimulate some macro economic advantage. Let me know what you think about the latest assault on local determination identified in this article which tells us:
Local communities are set to lose control over key environmental decisions affecting whether fracking can go ahead within their midst, it is claimed.
Campaigners opposing the industrial-scale exploitation of shale gas reserves in the British countryside said the Government has removed key democratic controls in its dash to bring unconventional energy resources on stream.
Under planning guidelines published last week, councils will no longer be able to investigate issues such as seismic activity, flaring and venting as well as the potential impact on ground water supplies before granting planning permission for new wells.
Instead the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive will take responsibility for regulation.
It is claimed the new guidelines – which will not be consulted on – will remove local authorities’ right to make decisions independent of central Government energy policy.