YP Letters: Imposing fracking on us is a form of bullying

Should residents have a greater say over fracking plans?

THE Government’s announcement to treat “non-fracking” drilling as ‘permitted development’ flouts the will of the people.

According to the Government’s own survey, support for fracking has fallen to 16 per cent while support for renewable energy has risen to 77 per cent. Public attitudes are very clear, but the Government is ignoring us.

Lorraine Allanson: Fracking in Ryedale can spark a rural revival

In Parliament, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee says: “Shale gas development of any type should not be classed as a permitted development. Local communities should be able to have a say...” The Local Government Association states: “We oppose any proposal for shale exploration to be allowed to bypass the locally democratic planning system...it should be up to local communities to decide whether or not to host fracking operations in their areas.” These recommendations have also been contemptuously ignored.

Our local democracy is what has made Britain superior to Putin’s Russia – that is, until now. It makes a mockery of Theresa May’s pledge on taking office that “we will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives”.

I call on Ryedale’s MP Kevin Hollinrake to protest at this bullying from London.