All-Party Parliamentary Group on Shale Gas Regulation and Planning

This article is part of the Spinwatch Fracking Portal and project

The APPG on Shale Gas Regulation and Planning was set up by Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake in March 2016 after he resigned as vice chair of another related APPG, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Unconventional Oil and Gas.

His resignation was the result of pressure from his constitutents over his role in that group, which has received substantial funding from the shale and unconventional gas industry and is run by a heavyweight lobbying firm Hill and Knowlton.

Hollinrake was appointed chair at the new APPG's inaugural meeting in March 2016.

Funding

Hollinrake initially said that the group was to be self-funded and that 'no sponsorship would be received from any outside bodies'.

Purpose

The Group's purpose is 'to recommend an effective regulation and planning regime should shale gas extraction take place', and according to Hollinrake, 'not to discuss the pros and cons of shale gas extraction'.

At its first meeting, the following areas to be 'investigated' by the group were suggested and agreed:-

• Possible water contamination
• Potential earthquakes
• Economic viability
• The function and remit of UKOOG
• The role of the Planning Inspectorate
• Density of sites
• Community benefits and how they would be paid
• Medical concerns
• The provision of independent research to the public

Events

2016 APPG meetings

• February 24: The APPG's inaugural annual general meeting was held between 10:00-10:32am in Portcullis House. Committee chair Kevin Hollinrake outlined the group's aims and a future workplan.

• March 23: Outline of the agenda for future meetings. Held 10:00-10:23am in Room R, Portcullis House.

• April 20: Minister of state for energy and climate change Andrea Leadsom addressed the committee on the potential of the UK's shale gas industry and considered the need for setting up an independent regulatory body on fracking. Meeting held 10:45-11:20am in Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster.

• 7 June: Committee chair Kevin Hollinrake moderated a discussion on national planning policy, and the potential impact of the shale gas industry on the UK's landscape and infrastructure. Attendees included Chris Stratton of Landscape Institute, Richard Blyth of Royal Town Planning Institute, Greg Shillabeer and Darren Hendley of Arcus Consulting, and Louise Barr Deputy and civil servant James Henderson of DCLG. Meeting was held between 4:00-5:00pm in Committee Room 7, Palace of Westminster.

• September 7: Discussion on how to allocate financial compensation to communities adversely affected by fracking. Senior industry executives Tom Pickering of INEOS, David Robbotom of Third Energy and John Blaymires of IGas are questioned by committee chair Kevin Hollinrake on the upper limit number of fracking sites in exploration licence blocks. Also present is the Right Rev Graham Cray, speaking for people from Kirby Misperton. Meeting held 3:00-4:34pm in Committee Room 9, Palace of Westminster.