Fracking applications could be pushed ahead under what the government have described as a “swift process” for developing safe and suitable new sites.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Conservative government would move to fast-track applications, through a new dedicated planning process.
Energy Minister Amber Rudd and Communities Secretary Greg Clark have today confirmed the plans which they say will ensure local people in England have a “strong say” over the development of shale exploration in their area.
The measures include identifying councils that have repeatedly failed to determine oil and gas applications within the 16 week statutory timeframe, with subsequent applications potentially being decided by the Communities Secretary.
Energy Secretary Amber Rudd said: “As a One Nation Government, we are backing the safe development of shale gas because it’s good for jobs giving hardworking people and their families more financial security, good for our energy security and part of our plan to decarbonise the economy.
“We need more secure, home grown energy supplies – and shale gas must play a part in that.
“To ensure we get this industry up and running we can’t have a planning system that sees applications dragged out for months, or even years on end. Oversight by the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency of shale developments makes our commitment to safety and the environment crystal clear.
“We now need, above all else, a system that delivers timely planning decisions and works effectively for local people and developers.”
The Communities Secretary may actively consider calling in applications on a case-by-case basis with shale planning applications and consider recovering appeals.
The new measures will also make sure no applications ‘fall through the cracks’ and adds a specific criterion for recovery of appeals.
The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) will take forward work on revising permitted development rights for drilling boreholes for groundwater monitoring.
Communities Secretary Greg Clark said:“There is huge potential right across the country for safe and sustainable use of shale gas, to provide a clean long term energy source and create British
jobs and growth.
“People’s safety and the environment will remain paramount and communities will always be involved in planning applications but no one benefits from uncertainty caused by delays in planning decisions. By fast tracking any appropriate applications today’s changes will tackle potential hold ups in the system.”
The Government has said shale will be a “national priority” in a bid to move the UK to a low-carbon economy.
But Ministers said they want to ensure shale applications can’t be frustrated by slow and confused decision making amongst councils, which benefits no one.
A spokesman for Cuadrilla, which saw its two planning applications turned down in Lancashire, said: “Cuadrilla warmly welcomes this announcement from the Government and its continued commitment to get exploration for shale gas under way in the UK.
“It is undoubtedly in the national and the local interest to ascertain whether we will be able to satisfy the continued need for natural gas in the UK from our own indigenous onshore resources.”
He added: “Local authorities are expected to assess and determine planning applications of all types within a certain timeframe so this announcement is primarily about getting the existing planning system to work as it is intended.
“There is no good reason why an application for a shale gas exploration site should take three to four times longer to determine than an application for a major housing development, a supermarket or a large-scale quarry.”
A decision on Cuadrilla’s applications was delayed from January after planning officers recommended they be turned down and the company asked for a delay while new information it submitted was considered.
The announcement by the UK Government comes as the Scottish Government reinforced their plans that no fracking would take place while a moratorium is carried out.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “No fracking will take place in Scotland while the moratorium we announced in January remains in place, a policy that has received wide support from both environmental groups and industry.
“This moratorium will continue until such time as we have completed a full public health impact assessment and undertaken a full public consultation.
“Our planned public consultation will allow stakeholders and local communities to have their say. This is a continuation of the Scottish Government’s careful and considered approach which puts the public and communities at the centre of the debate.
“The Scottish Government welcomes the agreement from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) not to issue any further onshore exploration licences in Scotland, as the powers over licensing are due to be devolved.”
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