Fast track for tracking

摘要

Environmental campaigners have accused the Government of 'riding roughshod over local democracy' with new plans designed to fast-track fracking applications. The Department for Communities and Local Government is expected to announce new rules today to speed up the planning process for shale gas exploration. Under the plans, it will also be easier for communities secretary Greg Clark to hear appeals and potentially overrule council decisions. Writing in The Sunday Times, energy secretary Amber Rudd said the Government would be writing to all planning authorities this week to 'make clear there is a national need to explore shale'.