There are no current proposals for hydraulic fracturing operations in the areas of Bath or the Cheddar Gorge.<\/p>
Planning applications for onshore oil and gas development (including shale gas) must be subject to consultation with the local community and with relevant statutory consultation bodies such as the Environment Agency before the mineral planning authority takes a decision. Any decision must take account of all relevant planning issues. In this context, the National Planning Policy Framework states that, when considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, local planning authorities should give great weight to the asset's conservation.<\/p>
The National Policy Framework also advises that any proposed development on land within or outside a Site of Special Scientific Interest, such as Cheddar Gorge, should not normally be permitted if it is likely to have an adverse effect on the Site (either individually or in combination with other developments).<\/p>
I can also confirm that there are other regulatory controls which would need to be satisfied if any application for oil and gas development received planning permission. There are administered by the Environment Agency, the HSE and the Department. These controls will ensure that all prospective threats to the environment, or to safety, are effectively controlled. In particular, the Environment Agency will not permit any activity which might pose a threat to groundwater.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3790", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Verma"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Verma"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-07-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-07-09T16:34:44.9810477Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "63"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Energy and Climate Change"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Energy and Climate Change"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Fracking: Somerset"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government when hydraulic fracturing for natural gas begins in the north Somerset coal-field and the Mendip Hills; what safeguards will be enforced to prevent contamination of (1) the Bath hot springs, (2) the Cheddar Gorge caves and underground water-courses, and (3) all other local water supplies; and who will be responsible for such safeguards.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2018", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Hylton"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Hylton"} ], "uin" : "HL693"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64720", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Energy and Climate Change"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/64720/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Renewables Obligation (RO) has been reviewed and updated several times since it was introduced in 2002. The scheme underwent a major reform in 2009 to bring forward more renewable generation through the introduction of banded support for different technologies and to increase the scheme's effectiveness. The reforms were set out in the Government Response to the Statutory Consultation on the Renewables Obligation Order 2009<\/em> published by DECC in December 2008. A copy can be found on the National Archives web page: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090203212240/http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file49342.pdf<\/a><\/p> The RO has been very effective in supporting the deployment of new renewable generation. By the end of 2013, renewables represented 14.9 per cent of all UK electricity generation, 82 per cent of which was contributed by stations accredited under the RO.<\/p> DECC implemented revised RO support levels in April 2013 following a comprehensive review. The new support levels, which apply until the RO closes to new capacity at the end of March 2017, will ensure that the scheme continues to drive an increase in renewable electricity deployment while delivering value for money for consumers. The relevant documents are available on the gov.uk web site:<\/p>