Fracking still possible at beauty spots

New rules have been issued by the government and state that fracking licences for beauty spots can only be permitted in exceptional circumstances. These new rules are stricter than previous and companies applying to frack near beauty spots will have additional obligations. However, some environmental campaigners maintain that the rules are not strict enough.

Under the new rules the communities secretary will have the right to overrule when local authorities reject a planning application. The new guidance makes it clear that applications to frack in beauty spots such as National Parks and AONBs should be refused unless there are exceptional circumstances.

The government is keen to pursue fracking as a home-grown energy source to help secure the UK’s energy supplies until renewable energy capacity is increased.  While gas and oil from fracking are a cleaner energy source than coal, they are still hydrocarbons which emit CO₂ linked to global warming and climate change.

Source: BBC website July 2014