A NEW Government plan to effectively 'fast-track' fracking applications has been bitterly condemned by activists in Craven.

Ministers announced earlier this month they would intervene on applications for fracking operations if local authorities did not make a decision quickly enough.

In new guidelines, councils will be strongly encouraged to meet a deadline of 16 weeks to approve or reject fracking applications.

And the Government's Secretary of State for Communities will be able to 'call in' applications and decide himself if they get the go-ahead.

The move has been labelled an "attack on democracy" by members of Frack Free Craven, a group formed recently to fight all fracking applications in the area.

The group's Lisa Leddicoat said: "We are horrified that local opinion – and democracy – can just be bypassed like this.

"Sixteen weeks is a ludicrously short time to make a decision on a fracking operation anyway – the consequences could be catastrophic. Yet again we are seeing short-term profits for big business put before the welfare of people."

Fracking is the highly controversial extraction of shale gas from the earth by drilling down and injecting a mixture of water, sand and chemicals into the rock at high pressure.

Supporters of the process say it brings down energy prices and will help to make Britain less dependent on imported gas and other fuels.

Critics say the negative impact on the environment – and the unknown future consequences – simply make it too risky. Fracking has been going on for several years in the US and Australia, with critics claiming there have been increases in pollution, released toxins and even earth tremors.

There have been mass protests against fracking applications in Lancashire. Government figures have predicted house prices could fall by at least seven per cent near such operations.

Lisa added: "We have been closely involved with the Lancashire protests and people are quite rightly terrified by the prospect of fracking in their area. This latest move by the Government is shocking and desperately unfair."

 

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Craven Herald, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.