I’ve signed a petition by councillors against the Government’s move to allow fracking exploration under permitted development rules
Here’s the text:
Dear Claire Perry MP (CC James Brokenshire MP, Greg Clarke MP),
The UK government has proposed changes to planning rules that would allow exploratory drilling for shale gas to be considered “permitted development”, removing the need for fracking companies to apply for planning permission.
The current planning framework for shale gas provides an important regulatory process for the industry, offering necessary checks and balances by local authorities who best understand the circumstances in their areas. Crucially, it also allows communities directly affected a say in how, and whether, shale gas exploration proceeds in their neighbourhoods.
We believe that applying permitted development to exploratory shale gas drilling represents a distortion of its intention and is a misuse of the planning system. Permitted Development was originally intended to be used to speed up planning decisions on small developments – like garden sheds or erecting a fence – not drilling for shale gas.
As elected representatives of our communities, we the undersigned call for the withdrawal of this proposal, and respect for the right of communities to make decisions on shale gas activities in their areas through the local planning system.
Seaton & Colyton MATTERS 
August 11, 2018 at 9:10 am
Excellent! I’ve been following these threats to our countryside, water table, geology and human & wildlife health for a long time now. It’s really heartening to see the opposition taken up by councils too, especially as it also threatens their autonomy and wishes of the people they represent. Thank you, Martin. 🙂
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