DOZENS of fracking projects could be fast-tracked through the planning system as ministers launch the biggest expansion yet of the shale gas industry in Britain.

SoS Amber Rudd will be writing to planning authorities this week; new planning guidelines which could allow ministers to overrule local authorities if they are seen to be obstructive will be published this week.

The announcement comes just days before the DECC is due to announce the winners of licences to start drilling for shale in up to 295 blocks, with more than 90 companies bidding to hunt for shale gas across about 40 per cent of the land area. “Britain’s long-winded planning system could spell the end of a potentially vital national industry.”

Britain’s shale gas industry has been left struggling because low international crude prices have damaged the economic viability of many projects.

Friends of the Earth state: “Instead of blindly championing dirty fracking, the government should throw its weight behind the UK’s huge green energy potential which is far more popular with the public and will give David Cameron a much-needed credibility boost ahead of this year’s climate talks in Paris.

E Eastham(by email)