Government Can Step In To Fast-Track Fracking

Ministers have been granted the right to take decision-making on controversial shale gas applications away from local authorities in a bid to fast-track fracking.

Under the new measures, local authorities will have to forfeit the right to determine an application if they are found to be taking too long to make a decision.

The Government has made clear it is going "all out for shale" in an effort to counter declining North Sea oil and gas output.

Britain is believed to have substantial amounts of shale gas trapped in underground rocks.

But attempts to exploit the research have been met with fierce opposition from local residents and environment campaigners.

In recent months councils have turned down applications in potential shale areas including Lancashire and Sussex.

Critics have branded this latest announcement a Government attempt to run "rough shod over democracy".

It will see the final say on permits handed to the Communities Secretary Greg Clark who will "call in" applications when council take longer than the statutory 16 weeks to make a decision - unless they are granted an extension.

Mr Clark will also be able to take charge of determining appeals against planning rejections on a case-by-case basis.

All call-ins and appeals over shale applications will be prioritised by the planning inspectorate.

Mr 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."

Opponents say fracking, which involves extracting gas by hydraulic fracturing, can cause earthquakes, pollute water supplies and cause more climate emissions.

There are also concerns it could lead to inappropriate development in the countryside, damage house prices and cause more climate emissions.

Shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint said the Conservatives have "consistently ignored genuine and legitimate concerns" about fracking.

She said: "Now they are going a step further by denying local communities a say in decisions about whether it should go ahead.

"In June they issued planning guidance giving local residents 'the final say' over wind farm applications.

"However, when it comes to shale gas, they are saying the secretary of state should have 'the final say' and are clearly guilty of double standards."