Good news on planning
The government’s consultation on the Growth & Infrastructure Bill was published today and includes this
After considering the responses received and comments made during the passage of the Growth and Infrastructure Act, the Government has concluded that applications for planning permission for onshore oil and gas schemes, including any future planning proposals for shale gas development, should not be included in the new business and commercial category but will keep this under review. Shale gas extraction has yet to take place at a commercial scale in this country and, as it develops, the Government will ensure that an effective planning system is in place, with the necessary guidance in place by July 2013.
Applications for planning permission for onshore oil and gas should therefore normally remain with minerals planning authorities for determination.
