Earthquakes top fracking questions to minister
The regulation and impact of induced earth tremors accounted for more than a third of the parliamentary answers about fracking from the energy minister this week.
Government ignored new evidence on climate impacts of fracking – court told
The government ignored new science on the climate change impact of shale gas sites when it revised planning policy on fracking, the High Court in London heard today.
Ministers should have checked environmental effects of planning policy – High Court told
A government document that shapes planning decisions across England is unlawful, Friends of the Earth, said in a challenge today.
Picture post: Nativity style protest at government’s fracking policy
Fashion designer, Dame Vivienne Westwood, and her son, Joe Corre, took part in a Christmas-themed protest against government planning policy outside the Royal Courts of Justice this morning.
Government faces second legal challenge over new planning rules on fracking
A second environmental group is taking legal action against the government over its new planning policy on fracking and onshore oil and gas.
Environment Secretary blocks oil drilling in the Surrey Hills to protect ancient woodland
The Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, has refused to renew a lease of land for oil drilling in Surrey because of the damage it could do to ancient woodland.
Campaign group begins legal challenge to government planning policy on fracking
The anti-shale gas group, Talk Fracking, has taken the first step in what could be a court challenge to government policy.
Government presses ahead with planning policy changes on oil and gas – despite “limited support”
The government has made changes to national planning policy on onshore oil and gas even though most of the people who took part in a consultation disagreed with them.
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.
“Planning controlled by government and developers”
Local communities hold the least power in the planning process and central government and developers hold the most, according to a survey of councillors across the UK.
