[UPDATE: For the subsequent government response to this consultation, please view this post.]

The government has published the following consultation, which runs for 10 weeks from 31/10/2018 until 07/01/2019 (*):

• October 2018: Compulsory community pre-application consultation for shale gas development (pdf) (link).

Notes:

• The "Background to the consultation" section at the start of the above consultation document includes the following information:
  - "Written Ministerial Statements on energy and planning policy made by Greg Clark and James Brokenshire on 17 May 2018 [footnote: link] reiterated the Government’s view that there are potentially substantial benefits from the safe and sustainable exploration and development of our onshore shale gas resources.".
  [...]
  - "The statement also committed to strengthen community engagement by consulting on the potential to make pre-application consultation a statutory requirement. In line with the broad focus of the Written Ministerial Statement on supporting shale gas development, this consultation will seek views on whether applicants should be required to conduct pre-application consultation with the local community prior to submitting a planning application for shale gas development. [footnote: This means the 3 phases of shale gas development which require a planning application. This does not cover all onshore oil and gas exploration and/or extraction operations.]".
  - "The Government has also published a revised National Planning Policy Framework on 24 July 2018. The National Planning Policy Framework sits alongside the Written Ministerial Statement. We intend to publish revised planning practice guidance on shale development in due course, ensuring clarity on issues such as cumulative impact, local plan making, and confirmation that planners can rely on the advice of regulatory experts.".
• (*) Note: The webpage (link) for this consultation states that "This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 7 January 2019". However, the above consultation document (pdf) states that "This consultation will last for 10 weeks from 31 October 2018", which indicates an end date of 09/01/2019.

Other sources of information:

• March 2015: Amendment to permitted development rights for drilling boreholes for groundwater monitoring for petroleum exploration - Technical Consultation (pdf) (link).
  - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
• August 2015: Government press release - "Faster decision making on shale gas for economic growth and energy security" (link).
• August 2015: Guidance - "About shale gas and hydraulic fracturing (fracking)" (link).
• August 2015: Policy paper - "Shale gas and oil policy statement by DECC and DCLG" (link).
• August 2015: Amendment to permitted development rights for drilling boreholes for groundwater monitoring for petroleum exploration - Government response to the consultation and Invitation for views on further amendments to permitted development rights for petroleum exploration site investigation and monitoring (pdf) (link).
  - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
• February 2016: Letter from DCLG to Chief Planning Officers (of MPAs) about shale gas applications (pdf) (link).
• December 2015: Further amendments to permitted development rights for petroleum exploration site investigation and monitoring - Government response to the consultation (pdf) (link).
  - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
• March 2016: Explanatory Memorandum to SI 2016 No. 331 and SI 2016 No. 332 (pdf) (link).
• April 2016: SI 2016 No. 332 - The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) Order 2016 (pdf) (link).
  - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
• July 2018: Permitted development for shale gas exploration - Consultation (pdf) (link).
  - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.