THE council will call on the government to halt its “undemocratic proposals” to take fracking decisions out of local authorities’ hands.

Councillors opposed the decisions regarding fracking to be taken at a national level by voting on a motion which said such decisions should be made at a local level.

The motion also opposed attempts to reclassify non-fracking shale gas exploration as permitted development.

This would allow shale gas developers to avoid submitting a planning application in order to drill tests.

Cllr Stephen Pickup, who proposed the motion, said: “The current planning framework for shale gas provides an important regulatory process for the industry, offering the necessary checks and balances by local authorities, who best understand the circumstances in their areas.”

“Moreover, planning is the bedrock of local democracy, and is currently one of the only channels through which local people can have a say on what happens in their local area.”

Conservative councillor Norman Critchley said that permitted development was the “bane” of his life.

He said: “I totally and utterly oppose this government’s proposals. I have been a long time opponent of any type of permitted development. I believe in localism.”

Labour councillor Susan Haworth delivered a passionate speech warning that such a decision could lead to protests and direct action, referring to events in Blackpool earlier this year.

The motion passed unanimously with councillors noting that it was not about fracking, but the procedure.