Water companies to be made statutory consultees on fracking planning decisions

摘要

The Government has confirmed that water companies will be made statutory consultees on planning applications relating to shale oil and gas exploration. Water UK had been among those pressing for the change in response to concerns about the effect of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) on groundwater and the level of water use involved in the process. The Department for Communities and Local Government had consulted on the proposal, and in its response to its consultation confirmed that the requirement for water company consultation would be made law.