MPs reject shale ban as Lancashire decides
28 Jan 2015
Parliament has rejected calls for an outright ban on shale gas development, although projects will no longer be allowed in protected areas such as national parks.
A proposed amendment to the Infrastructure Bill to institute a moratorium on all UK shale gas development was defeated in the House of Commons on Monday by 308 votes against to just 52 in favour.
However, shale gas development in national parks, sites of special interest and areas of natural beauty will now be prohibited after a clause allowing such developments “in exceptional circumstances” was removed.
We have requested a deferral in the determination of our planning applications
Cuadrilla spokesman
In addition, a Labour Party amendment requiring all shale gas projects to pass 13 tests was successfully added to the Infrastructure Bill. These tests include monitoring of a site for 12 months prior to any hydraulic fracturing activity, and independent well integrity inspections.
Developments at Westminster came ahead of Lancashire County Council’s crucial meeting today over the fate of Cuadrilla’s planning applications for shale gas exploration at two sites in Blackpool.
Planners last week recommended that the council’s Development Control Committee (DCC) turn down Cuadrilla’s application for the Preston New Road and Roseacre Wood sites on the grounds of traffic and noise pollution.
However, Cuadrilla has since written to the chairman of the DCC offering “further mitigation measures on noise and traffic concerns”.
The letter also requested more time for Cuadrilla to work up these mitigation measures, and that the DCC accordingly delays its decision on the planning application for both sites.
“The detail of this additional mitigation requires proper consultation and planning regulations clearly require this,” said a Cuadrilla spokesman.
“We have therefore also requested a deferral in the determination of our planning applications to allow for this consultation to take place.”
Cuadrilla will learn whether it has been successful in earning a reprieve from Lancashire County Council’s DCC at some point over the next three days.
UPDATE 28/1/15: Lancashire County Council’s DCC has accepted Cuadrilla’s request and will defer its decision on the developer’s planning applications for the two Blackpool sites.
