Brent may look to ban fracking

LB Brent is reported to be looking at bringing in a ban on fracking in the borough.

Planning Magazine says that the council is investigating whether it can use powers under the Localism or Planning Acts to ban the extraction of shale gas.

However, it is likely that any local planning policy against fracking would be trumped by a national plan, as the Planning Inspectorate would need to consider the local plan against national policy.

Brighton and Hove Council have sought to put in place a ban, but have been advised by in-house counsel that their policy would not be a material planning consideration.

No companies are yet known to be planning any such operations in Brent.