CPRE responded to the Government consultation on the inclusion of shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime. This would mean fracking proposals would go through a national planning process, rather than be decided by local authorities.
We argued strongly that this would reduce local decision-making and communities' involvement in these decisions.
The consultation response outlines our concerns with this proposal, which are, at a top level:
- It would deprive local authorities of direct decision-making on fracking development in their areas;
- It does not offer anything like ‘full involvement’ of communities in decision-making;
- Shale gas production does not fit within the NSIP planning process
- It is unlikely to hasten the decision making process
We also supported the response to the consultation from Wildlife and Countryside Link.
