Double U-turn as controversial technique for extracting shale gas will not be allowed in Sites of Special Scientific Interest after all

The government has backed down on its plan to allow fracking in some of England’s most important nature sites.

The controversial technique for extracting shale gas will not be allowed in Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) after all, ministers said on Wednesday, after previously opening the door to fracking in such sites in July.

However, campaigners said the double U-turn - the government had initially promised in January to ban fracking in SSSIs - would not provide enough protection for the sites.

There are 4,000 SSSIs, described by government officials as the “best of our wildlife, geological and physiographical heritage” in England.



Publishing a consultation today, the government acknowledged public concern over fracking in sensitive areas, and added SSSIs to a list of protected areas where surface drilling will not be allowed, which already includes national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty.

“We have the right protections in place to ensure that fracking can go ahead safely without risk to our most beautiful and important natural sites,” said energy minister, Andrea Leadsom, who had said the change was to provide further reassurance. Officials had insisted in July that the planning system already included sufficient protections for SSSIs.

But anti-fracking environmentalists were quick to point out that companies will still be allowed to drill down on the edge of such protected areas and then drill horizontally underneath them to undertake fracking.



“Some of England’s special scenery and nature reserves could still be ringed by fracking rigs bringing light, air, water and noise pollution to areas that should be completely protected,” said Hannah Martin, a campaigner at Greenpeace.

“This seems like a statement designed simply to mollify concerned backbenchers but lacking the substance to actually protect the countryside from fracking pollution.”

Martin Harper, RSPB’s conservation director, said: “We are very pleased the government has indicated it intends to ban fracking in England’s best places for wildlife, Sites of Special Scientific Interest. It’s also good to see this ban extended to Natura 2000 sites - areas that are important for wildlife at a European level. We welcome the fact that the ban could apply to all existing and future licences for fracking.

“Government still intends to permit fracking beneath these sites, which we don’t think is sensible. The wider regulatory regime around fracking could still be improved and we have yet to see a compelling case that fracking is going to be compatible with the UK’s legally binding climate change commitments. But the announcement of today’s consultation is the first step towards protecting some of England most important sites for wildlife from fracking.”