Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences have been granted where the Local Plan does not include development land for such purposes.

The process for granting Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences is independent from the development of Local Plans.

The Oil and Gas Authority is the petroleum licensing authority. When approving licences the Oil and Gas Authority considers the applicant’s technical competence and financial viability. Once an area is licensed, oil and gas exploration and drilling are subject to landowner consent, local planning permission and other permits. Planning law requires that applications for planning permission must be determined in accordance with the local authority development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The process for granting Petroleum Exploration and Development Licences is independent of the development of Local Plans.