Scottish Government says no to UK fracking plans

The UK Government’s plans to remove the right of householders to object to fracking companies drilling under their homes are being opposed by Scotland. Earlier this year the UK Government […]

The UK Government’s plans to remove the right of householders to object to fracking companies drilling under their homes are being opposed by Scotland.

Earlier this year the UK Government proposed to grant shale oil and gas firms automatic access to land below 300 metres in a bid to speed up exploration. In return, communities would receive a one-off payment of £20,000 per well.

However, Scottish Energy Minister Fergus Ewing believes the powers on this issue should be with Scotland.

He said: “The Scottish Government believe there should be an evidence based, cautious and considered approach to unconventional oil and gas and that all of the decisions taken about it should be taken by the people of Scotland, through the Parliament and Government they elected.

“UK Government proposals to remove the right of Scottish householders to object to drilling under their homes flies in the face of that approach and that is why we object to them. It is also fundamentally an issue affecting land ownership rights.”

Fracking is the controversial process of drilling into the earth and high-pressure water and chemicals are used to recover oil and gas from shale rocks.

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