Anger at new fast track process for Fracking

Is the Government trying to bypass democracy and sneak fracking in through the back door?

That's the claim from anti fracking campaigners angry over new Government measures to fast track shale gas planning applications.

But the government say they just want to crack down on councils that delay on making a decision as the energy industry needs to be able to get on and explore its potential.

Victoria Grimes reports.

The Government has defended changes to the planning application process for shale gas exploration.

The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Amber Rudd says the process is supposed to take just 16 weeks.

The environmental group, Friends of the Earth says the Government's plans to speed up shale gas planning applications threatens to damage local democracy.

The government has announced plans to speed up Shale gas planning applications. Ministers say they want to ensure shale applications can’t be frustrated by what they describe as "slow and confused decision making" amongst councils.

Councillors in Lancashire turned down two applications by the firm Cuadrilla to explore for shale gas in Roseacre and Little Plumpton on the Fylde. While the announcement was welcomed by campaigners against the process there was criticism at the length of time taken to make a decision.

Now plans by officials at Whitehall to speed up the process have come in for criticism. Campaigners at enviromental group Greenpeace said "the Government is riding rough shod over democracy to industrialise our most beautiful landscapes and damage the climate."