Press Release: Faster decision making on shale gas for economic growth and energy security

Shale gas planning applications will be fast-tracked through a new, dedicated planning process, under measures announced on the 12 August 2015 by the Department of Energy and Climate Change in the United Kingdom.

The measures included identifying local councils that repeatedly failed to determine oil and gas applications within the 16 week statutory timeframe, with subsequent applications potentially decided by the Communities Secretary at a national level.

On the 18 August 2015 it was announced the government would offer a new round of licences for oil and gas exploration that would cover large areas of Yorkshire, the north-west of England and the east Midlands.

Daisy Sands, head of Greenpeace’s energy campaign, said: 'This is the starting gun on the fight for the future of our countryside'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Fracking licences to be granted by government / Beauty spots still at fracking 'risk', say campaigners http://www.europeansources.info/record/fracking-licences-to-be-granted-by-government-beauty-spots-still-at-fracking-risk-say-campaigners/

The Guardian, 13.08.15: Government will step in if councils don't fast-track fracking applications http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/13/government-will-step-in-if-councils-dont-fast-track-fracking-applications

EurActiv, 19.08.15: 1,000 square miles of England to be opened up for fracking http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/1000-sq-miles-england-be-opened-fracking-316919

The Guardian, 18.08.15: 1,000 sq miles of England to be opened up for fracking http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/18/1000-sq-miles-england-opened-up-fracking-new-round-licences

The Guardian: Tag: Fracking http://www.theguardian.com/environment/fracking

United Kingdom: Department for Energy and Climate Change: Policy: UK energy security https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/uk-energy-security

BBC News, 13.08.15: Fracking bids to be fast-tracked http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33894307

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