Government to force through fracking applications

MOVES to fast-track planning applications through the planning system are set to be announced by the Government this week.

In the wake of Lancashire County Council’s decision to block plans by shale gas specialist Cuadrilla to drill on the Fylde coast in June, ministers are poised to step in to take power away from local authorities if they are deemed to be obstructive.

Cuadrilla is now facing a  delay of up to two years after appealing against Lancashire’s decision and ministers are fearing other firms will be put off submitting fracking applications until the case is resolved.

The Government seems prepared for a major confrontation with the environmental lobby, local government chiefs and a raft of MPs.

Energy secretary Amber Rudd told The Sunday Times that the UK could ill afford to miss out on billions of pounds in revenueand the 60,000 new jobs that the technology could create.

In an article sh wrote for the newspaper she said: “We need more secure, home-grown energy supplies and shale gas must play a part . . . We can’t continue with a system that sees applications dragged out for months, or even years on end which doesn’t give certainty to industry and which doesn’t give certainty to industry and which could spell the end of a potentially vital national industry.”

New guidelines, issued by communities secretary Greg Clark, will tell local authorities: “There is an urgent need to explore and develop our shale gas and oil resources in order to unlock their potential benefits and to help meet our objectives for secure energy supplies, economic growth and lower carbon emissions.”

Gas and exploration licences by ministers soon. Rudd has said she will grant licences in the 14th onshore round — which attracted 95 bidders in 295 areas — in two stages to quicken the process.

Government intent was signalled last week when, in an interview with TheBusinessDesk energy minister Andrea Leadsom said fracking companies needed to do more to allay public fears over safety.

She was visiting iGas Energy’s sites in Greater Manchester and meeting businesses at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

Leadsom said there was a danger of a “huge economic opportunity being missed” in the region.