Government must “plug the carbon gap” in planning policy
Urgent change is needed to assess the full impact of fossil fuel proposals on the climate, the government was told today.
IGas seeks consent to continue reinjecting radioactive waste at Singleton oil site
People are invited to comment on an application by IGas to dispose of radioactive waste at its Singleton oil site in West Sussex.
Comments sought on protest policing guidance
A long-awaited consultation is underway on new guidance for policing protests.
Local authorities are best placed to decide on fracking plans – MPs report
Moving decisions on fracking plans to a national level contradicts the principles of localism and would probably exacerbate mistrust between communities and the industry, MPs said today.
Third Energy’s North Yorkshire fracking planning application cost £½m+ – MPs told
Fracking Week in Parliament 2 The planning application by Third Energy to frack at Kirby Misperton cost North Yorkshire County Council more than £500,000, MPs were told this week.
Weekend long read: Is shale gas nationally important and should decisions be taken out of local control?
The shale gas industry and its opponents had a rare moment of agreement in a committee room in Westminster this week.
Europa’s Leith Hill oil drilling plans contain “significant errors, inconsistencies and omissions” – review
An independent review has made “major criticisms” of Europa’s application for an environmental permit for oil drilling plans near Leith Hill in Surrey.
Weekend long read: The blueprint for fracking needs a rethink
Mark Robinson, Campaigns and Policy Assistant at Campaign to Protect Rural England, argues that radical changes are needed to national planning policy to prevent the threat of fracking to the countryside and the communities who live and enjoy it.
Government seeks to strengthen planning case for onshore oil and gas
Local councils in England are to be required to develop policies that “facilitate” onshore oil and gas developments, under revised government guidelines.
MPs to investigate whether to take decisions on fracking plans out of local control
A committee of MPs is to examine whether planning applications for fracking in England should be decided by a government minister, rather than local councils.
DRILL OR DROP? 