Decision details

Councillor Steve Holgate presented the following Motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 10.  Councillor Holgate circulated an updated version of the Motion and explained that there had been a number of typographical errors in the published document. 

Permitted Development

Permitted development is the part of planning law that allows people to carry out improvements on their home or property such as loft conversions, putting up a fence, adding a small conservatory or putting up a garden shed without having to apply to the Council for planning permission.

The government is now proposing that exploratory drilling for shale gas (Fracking) should also be considered as permitted development.

Building what can be up to a 1.5 Hectare fracking well pad without the consent of local people and by-passing the local planning process is an assault on our local democracy.

This Council instructs our chief executive to write on behalf of the Council to The Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, Minister for Housing, Communities & Local Government as well as The Rt Hon Claire Perry MP, Minister of State for Energy & Clean Growth informing them that we are totally opposed to the government using permitted development legislation as a means of fast tracking shale gas exploration.

Councillor Kim Snape seconded the motion. 

Following debate, Members unanimously made the Decision - that the motion be supported.