7Conclusion
104.Our inquiry asked whether the planning guidance on fracking is fit-for-purpose and whether fracking should be dealt with under the NSIP regime of the Planning Act 2008. We have concluded that there are a number of improvements that should be made to the guidance and the proposals in the 2018 WMS, but agree with the vast majority of the inquiry’s witnesses that fracking planning applications should not be brought under the NSIP regime.
105.We now ask the Secretary of State to consider our conclusions and recommendations in light of the consultations and measures announced in the 2018 WMS. While we were highly disappointed in the Government’s decision to publish a WMS during the course of our inquiry, we are pleased that the Government has provided assurances that our Report will “fully influence the direction of travel”.192
Published: 5 July 2018