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<p>The planning system currently requires shale well site density and distance to
settlements to be considered where relevant in plan making and decisions on planning
proposals, taking into account local context. Were limits to be set in national planning
guidance, they may not provide appropriate protections in some contexts, or rule out
otherwise acceptable development in others.</p><p>For minerals such as shale gas,
local authority mineral plans should set out environmental criteria for the assessment
of applications and take into account cumulative effect of multiple impacts from individual
sites and/ or from a number of sites in a locality. Planning law requires that decisions
must be taken in accordance with the development plan for the local authority, including
any relevant mineral plan policies, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.</p><p>In
all cases, national planning policy must also be taken into account when applications
are determined. This is clear that when a planning permission is granted for mineral
development, including shale gas, there should be no unacceptable adverse impacts
on the natural and historic environment, or on human health. It also ensures relevant
cumulative effects are considered.</p><p> </p>
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