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fracking

What is fracking?

Fracking (or hydraulic fracturing) refers to the method used to extract gas or oil from shale rock by injecting large volumes of water containing a number of additives. This includes sand and lubricating fluids into the rock under high pressure.

$What is fracking?$
Why we need to stop fracking

CPRE’s primary concerns with fracking are with the way it industrialises our celebrated landscapes and the way the Government is enforcing its pro-fracking policy to undermine local democracy and our planning system.

$Why we need to stop fracking$
Make the Government keep its promises on fracking

There are lots of reassuring words from the Government on fracking and protected areas but, so far, precious little in the way of meaningful action.

$Make the Government keep its promises on fracking$
Fracking to be fast-tracked

In March 2018, the government announced proposals to fast-track fracking by allowing applications for exploratory drilling to skip through the normal stages of the planning system.
Fracking: the seismic debate causing political tremors

As the debate around fracking continues to reverberate, with the industry this week laying on a desperate, last-ditch attempt to force the government to relax ‘unworkable’ seismicity regulations that it itself helped create, people need reassurance...
Concern at u-turn on fracking protections in Infrastructure Bill

Government has gone back on its previous commitment and chosen not to implement amendments ensuring greater safeguards on fracking in the Infrastructure Bill.
Environmental heavyweights call on the Government to drop plans to fast-track fracking

from charities including the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, RSPB and the WWF label fracking proposals a ‘perversion of local democracy’ The letter, which was published in today’s Daily Telegraph (8 October 2018),...

$Environmental heavyweights call on the Government to drop plans to fast-track fracking$
Fracking: when 'no' is not enough

Over the past few years we’ve seen thousands of people mobilise against the threat of fracking, both through public protest and online activism. Most of them are citizens-turned-campaigners, challenging the industry at every stage of the process. But...
Just 13% of people believe the government is listening to them over fracking

CPRE urges government to listen to public concerns over fracking earthquake regulations New public polling published today (21 February) by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) reveals that less than a quarter of people (24%) would support...

$Just 13% of people believe the government is listening to them over fracking$
Fracking Announcement

As the Government announce the go-ahead on fracking today, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) raises concerns about the impact on the countryside and local communities. Shale gas and hydraulic fracturing, known as fracking, will provoke local...
Government overturns council rejection of fracking

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has today allowed an appeal from company Cuadrilla that will see fracking go ahead at the Preston New Road site in Lancashire. Mr Javid also deferred an appeal to reverse a council decision against fracking at a nearby...
Polling shows Conservative councillors at odds with government on plans to fast-track fracking

England and Friends of the Earth reveals that an overwhelming majority (80%) of Conservative councillors, in areas where fracking companies have a license to drill and explore for gas, believe that planning applications should be required before...

$Polling shows Conservative councillors at odds with government on plans to fast-track fracking$
CPRE encouraged by MPs report urging government to drop fracking plans

Communities and Local Government Committee today (5 July), which urges the government to drop its plans to fast-track fracking and dismisses the government proposals to do so as ‘hugely harmful’. In May, a joint announcement from the Secretary of State...

$CPRE encouraged by MPs report urging government to drop fracking plans$
Fracking

Our view We’re concerned about fracking. It’s being used to undermine local democracy and its widespread use in England would industrialise our countryside. We believe that fracking should stop unless it can be clearly demonstrated that it would: not...
CPRE call fracking announcement ‘outright assault on local communities’

and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government which proposes to streamline the process for fracking applications. These plans pose huge environmental risks to our landscapes and threaten the tranquillity of the countryside. On...

$CPRE call fracking announcement ‘outright assault on local communities’$
CPRE criticises fracking proposals, as consultation opens

Two government consultations open today (19 July) on proposals that would streamline the planning process for fracking and reduce the ability of local communities to influence fracking applications. CPRE is criticising the government for its disregard...

$CPRE criticises fracking proposals, as consultation opens$
Fast-tracking fracking takes power away from local communities

CPRE has reacted to the Government announcement today that ministers will seek to fast-track applications for fracking projects.
CPRE briefing: Response to Written Ministerial Statement on Fracking (May 2018)

May 2018 the government released a Written Ministerial Statement with worrying proposals that would effectively fast track fracking proposals, make it easier to gain permission for exploration and curtail the power of local authorities to oppose...
CPRE warns against ‘price is right’ approach on financial benefits from fracking

the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s (CPRE) Senior Energy Campaigner, Nick Clack said: ‘This announcement suggests that fracking should be allowed to go ahead regardless of the environmental consequences and that communities will welcome it if the...
CPRE disappointment at fracking vote

The parliamentary vote to allow fracking under protected areas undermines Government commitments to safeguard these precious landscapes, CPRE said today. Rural policy campaigner Emma Marrington said: “CPRE is disappointed that the Government has voted...