This report provides Cabinet with details of Government consultation exercises in relation to (1) Permitted development for shale gas exploration and (2) Inclusion of shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime and the response provided by Officers on behalf of the Council.  Both consultation responses were required by 11:45pm on 25 October 2018.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will endorse the Officers’ response to the Government Consultation on (1) Permitted development for shale gas exploration and (2) Inclusion of shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime and the response provided by Officers on behalf of the Council.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided details of Government consultation exercises in relation to the permitted development for shale gas exploration and inclusion of shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime and the response provided by Officers on behalf of the Council.  Both consultation responses were required by 11:45pm on 25 October 2018.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied with the responses provided to the Government consultation exercises.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet endorses the Officers’ response to the Government Consultation on (1) Permitted development for shale gas exploration and (2) Inclusion of shale gas production projects in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) regime.