by Ruth Hayhurst / Drill or Drop

Opponents of government proposals to change the planning rules for shale gas developments have been taking part in protest events across England this week. 

The Let Communities Decide week has been coordinated to raise awareness of a public consultation on the proposals, which ends on 25 October 2018.

The government has proposed to count non-fracking shale gas sites as permitted development. This would mean companies would not need to apply for planning permission.

Another proposal is to classify major shale gas production as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. This would mean decisions would be made by a government minister, rather than the local authority.

DrillOrDrop has been collecting photos and reports from this week’s events. Please let us know about any events from your area. We’ll update this post with new events.

Last updated 14/10/2018

Hebden Bridge street theatre – 14 October

Campaigners against fracking in Hebden Bridge brought a model fracking rig into the town and took part in street theatre and leafleting.

Sheffield Global Frackdown Carnival – 13 October

Hundreds of opponents of fracking from Yorkshire and the East Midlands took part in a rally in Sheffield city centre. DrillOrDrop report

Frack Free Parade in Totnes – 13 October

Campaigners in Devon took part in a parade through Totnes, carrying a model drilling rig.

Oxford – 13 October

The Oxford Mail reports residents and university students mocked up a pretend fracking company with a 4m fracking rig, in Radcliffe Square.

Norwich – 13 October

The Eastern Daily Press reports on a rally in Norwich city centre on government proposed changes to shale gas planning rules.

Lincolnshire Tory opposes government proposals – 12 October

Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole, Andrew Percy, told anti-fracking campaigners he opposed the government proposals on permitted development and the NSIP regime for shale gas.

The group, wearing gags, took part in a protest outside Mr Percy’s constituency in Brigg. He said he would raise the issue with ministers and would vote against if it came to a vote.

Frack Free Isle member Andrew McLeod (pictured third left) said,

“We are delighted that Mr Percy took the time to speak to us and that he shares our concerns about this loss of local democracy.  There is clearly a momentum building up among Conservative MPs against these unwelcome proposals.  We hope that the Government will listen to them and drop their plans.”

Capacity Ryedale meeting – 11 October

Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake confirmed at a packed meeting in Ryedale that he would oppose the government’s proposals if it meant planning rules on shale gas sites were relaxed. Full DrillOrDrop report

Projected messages – 10 October

Frack Off London projected its messages on the front of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in central London.

Gagging order – 9 October

Campaigners in East Yorkshire wore gags at their protest outside county hall in Beverley. They said the government’s proposals would gag local communities.

Grandparent protest – 9 October

Grandparents for a Safe Environment staged a protest at Bristol City Council. The group had previously taken part in a sit-down protest at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in June 2018.

Model installation – 8 October

Frack Off London installed a model shale gas rig outside Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in central London. More details

Open letter – 8 October

Heads of 20 environmental organisations wrote an open letter, published in the Daily Telegraph, opposing the proposals. More details