In May 2018 the government released a Written Ministerial Statement with worrying proposals that would effectively fast track fracking proposals, make it easier to gain permission for exploration and curtail the power of local authorities to oppose applications through the planning system - sidestepping local opinion in favour of making decisions nationally. It plans to consult on these proposals over summer 2018 with an expectation that new measures would be announced later in the year.

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Nationally, CPRE is campaigning for the government to drop these new proposals and to halt fracking until a series of environmental criteria have been met.

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Permitted development for shale gas exploration: CPRE National Office response to the Government consultation (Oct 18) can be found here