Submitted by Councillor Alistair Bradley
“In December 2015 the Government announced further licences for oil and gas exploration, including areas in Chorley. This latest announcement expands the areas of our borough under licence for potential fracking operations in the future. The Council recognises the significant levels of concern amongst the public about fracking, in particular the environmental impact this may have. To this end when consulted on any fracking operations in Chorley, the Council commits to ensure that any application is subject to vigorous scrutiny with regards to the possible effects on landscape, water and air quality. Furthermore the Council firmly believes that applications for fracking should be determined by the relevant local planning authority (in this case Lancashire County Council) in order to allow local people to have their say. Chorley Council expresses grave concern over reports that Ministers are looking at the possibility of bypassing the local planning process by calling-in all planning applications for fracking. We therefore propose to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to urge him, in support of local democracy, to allow initial decisions to be taken on a local level, in accordance with existing planning policy, where residents, councils and all interested parties from the area in question can make their views known and thereby influence the outcome."
Minutes:
The Mayor indicated that the agenda item containing the notice of motion submitted by Councillor Alistair Bradley, regarding onshore shale gas extraction and drilling, would be brought forward on the agenda.
Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader thanked members of the public present, for their questions and the petition. The Council welcomed such input which was important for effective local democracy. Receiving the petition, and the consequential Member sessions held and information provided, had prompted him to submit the following Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources and for which he was seeking support from all Councillors:
“In 2015 the Government announced further licences for oil and gas exploration, including areas in Chorley. This latest announcement expands the areas of our borough under licence for potential fracking operations in the future. The Council recognises the significant levels of concern amongst the public about fracking, in particular the environmental impact this may have. To this end when consulted on any fracking operations in Chorley, the Council commits to ensure that any application is subject to vigorous scrutiny with regards to the possible effects on landscape, water and air quality. Furthermore the Council firmly believes that applications for fracking should be determined by the relevant local planning authority (in this case Lancashire County Council) in order to allow local people to have their say. Chorley Council expresses grave concern over reports that Ministers are looking at the possibility of bypassing the local planning process by calling-in all planning applications for fracking. We therefore propose to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to urge him, in support of local democracy, to allow initial decisions to be taken on a local level, in accordance with existing planning policy, where residents, councils and all interested parties from the area in question can make their views known and thereby influence the outcome."
Councillor Paul Leadbetter, Leader of the Conservative Group expressed his Group’s full support for the motion and thanked the Executive Leader for involving him in its drafting. Cross party agreement in such important matters for residents was crucial. Applications must be considered in line with planning requirements and local planning policy and also to protect the health and wellbeing of residents.
Councillor Julia Berry said that she was fully aware that for many residents, fracking in the borough would be unacceptable but she was confident that they would work together to put forward their case. It was up to the Council to support residents in their views.
Councillor Richard Toon supported the motion but raised the issue of the need to consider alternative sustainable energy sources.
Councillor Peter Wilson thanked all those present for their contributions. Information provided for Members before the meeting and views expressed at the meeting would help ensure councillors asked the right questions should the time come to consider an application. When put to the vote it was
RESOLVED – that there is unanimous support for the motion to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.