The government has confirmed it will not allow fracking to be carried out from wells drilled at the surface of English protected areas, including National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and special wildlife sites.
The government promised to deliver shale in 2015 – but during the year no wells were fracked and no applications for shale gas exploration were approved.
The government is proposing to ban fracking from the surface of England’s best natural and landscape areas. Details here
The government has been accused of trying to push through rules on fracking under National Parks by calling a parliamentary vote with less than a day’s notice.
The RSPB warned today that nearly 300 Sites of Special Scientific Interest – home to rare plants and animals – have been included in the new oil and gas licences.
In the final week at Westminster before the parliamentary recess: Lords asked questions over changes to the planning system for fracking and community vetoes for shale gas And an MP criticised the Government for a u-turn on policy to allow fracking from Sites of Special Scientific Interest With […]
Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, has accused the government of using legislative small print to hide its policy reversal on fracking in important wildlife sites. Ms Lucas said MPs had approved the Infrastructure Bill earlier this year following a promise by Amber Rudd for the […]
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