The government has published the following response to the consultation titled "Compulsory community pre-application consultation for shale gas development" (which ran for 10 weeks from 31/10/2018 until 07/01/2019):

• November 2019: Government response to the compulsory community pre-application consultation for shale gas development consultation (pdf) (link).

Notes:

• The "Foreword" at the start of the above response document includes the following information:
  - "In line with the broad focus of the Written Ministerial Statement on shale gas development, the consultation sought 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.".
  - "The consultation covered the following areas:
  >>> Whether community pre-application consultation should be compulsory prior to submitting a planning application for shale gas development.
  >>> Whether compulsory community pre-application consultation for shale gas develop ment [sic] should follow one of the existing processes, or some other process.
  >>> Defining what shale gas development should be subject to compulsory community pre-application consultation.
  >>> Public sector equality duty.".
• The "Government response to Questions 1-3" section within the above response document includes the following information:
  - "The Government acknowledges that the majority of those who responded to the consultation indicated support for the measure. However, respondents indicated that community engagement on shale gas projects needs to be meaningful and meet the needs of individual communities. Many suggested that this is best served via the current consultation process undertaken by mineral planning authorities as part of determining a planning application.".
  - "As the respondents have identified, the planning system already features statutory mechanisms to ensure communities are adequately consulted on development proposals. It has also been acknowledged that industry are playing their part in positively engaging with communities. Therefore, and in the light of the decision not to take forward other legislative changes, the Government does not intend to take forward this proposal, at this time.".
  - "However, we recognise the importance of developers actively engaging with communities at the earliest possible stage and we encourage developers to continue do so. The Government remains fully committed to ensure that local communities are fully involved in planning decisions that affect them. If necessary, will consult further on possible changes, at a later date.".
  - "It should be noted that the Government has made clear in a separate Written Statement that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, and in the absence of compelling new evidence, it has taken a presumption against issuing any further Hydraulic Fracturing Consents. While future applications will be considered on their own merits by the Secretary of State in accordance with the law, the shale gas industry should take the Government’s position into account when considering new developments.".
• Note: The above "Written Statement" is available here.

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.
• October 2018: Compulsory community pre-application consultation for shale gas development (pdf) (link).
  - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.
• November 2019: Written statement to Parliament by Andrea Leadsom MP (link).
• November 2019: Government response to the permitted development for shale gas exploration consultation (pdf) (link).
  - Note: For more information about the above document, please view this post.