Fast track decision making for shale gas projects

Shale gas planning applications are to be fast-tracked through a new, dedicated planning process, under measures announced by the government in August. Ministers for Energy and Climate Change, and Communities and Local Government, Amber Rudd and Greg Clark said the move will ensure local people have a strong say over the development of shale exploration in their area – but will ensure communities and the industry benefit from a swift process for developing safe and suitable new sites.

The measures include identifying councils that repeatedly fail to determine oil and gas applications within the 16 week statutory timeframe, with subsequent applications potentially decided by the Communities Secretary.

Energy and climate change Secretary Amber Rudd said: ‘To ensure we get this [shale gas] industry up and running we can’t have a planning system that sees applications dragged out for months, or even years on end. Oversight by the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency of shale developments makes our commitment to safety and the environment crystal clear. We now need, above all else, a system that delivers timely planning decisions and works effectively for local people and developers.’

The government has made it clear that shale is a national priority, but ministers want to ensure shale applications can’t be frustrated by slow and confused decision making amongst councils. The new measures will mean ministers will consider calling in any application for shale exploration, and will recover appeals on a case-by-case basis, said the government.

The government said it also believes that communities hosting shale gas developments should share in the financial returns they generate, and will be presenting proposals later in the year on the design of a new sovereign wealth fund.