Caroline Flint MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, responding to new shale gas regulations, said:

“The Tories have repeatedly ignored genuine and legitimate concerns over shale gas, and are now failing to protect National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty by allowing fracking to take place underneath them.

“These regulations could lead to Britain’s most treasured areas being ringed by rigs that are allowed to frack underneath them.

“They urgently need to think again and ensure that no shale gas extraction can go ahead under National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or aquifers that supply drinking water. Until they do, no extraction should take place.”