For shale to take off in this country, it needs the endorsement of the communities where it will take place – and that means making it worth their while. There is a parallel with planning, where locals are being incentivised to back new housing via the Community Infrastructure Levy. In both cases, the amounts on offer are utterly insufficient. Granted, there are many areas that will not want to see drilling, or development, at any price. But the amounts should at least be high enough for their resolve to be tested.