WIREDGOV

Cllr Judith Blake, LGA Environment spokesperson, responds to last week’s ruling on fracking.

"It should be up to local communities to decide, through their locally democratic planning systems, whether or not to host fracking operations in their areas. Ensuring communities feel safe is important. Any company that applies for a fracking licence must assure residents through their council that environment and safety concerns can and will be adequately addressed before planning permission is considered.

"People living near fracking sites - who are most affected by them - have a right to be heard. Local planning procedure exists for a reason, to ensure a thorough and detailed consultation with those communities."