Inclusion of shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project Regime

CPRE responded to the Government consultation on the inclusion of shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime. This would mean fracking proposals would go through a national planning process, rather than be decided by local authorities.

We argued strongly that this would reduce local decision-making and communities’ involvement in these decisions.

The consultation response outlines our concerns with this proposal, which are, at a top level:

• It would deprive local authorities of direct decision-making on fracking development in their areas;
• It does not offer anything like ‘full involvement’ of communities in decision-making;
• Shale gas production does not fit within the NSIP planning process
• It is unlikely to hasten the decision making process

We also supported the response to the consultation from Wildlife and Countryside Link.