A call for action to be taken on the future of unconventional oil and gas developments, particularly underground coal gasification (UCG), has been issued by Fife Council.

The authority has welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to hold a moratorium on unconventional gas extraction (UGE).

In addition, it has now tabled a motion calling for the Government to include UCG in its moratorium, as well as a review of all UGE.

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UCG is a technique that produces gas from underground coal seams.

Deputy Leader Cllr Lesley Laird said: "Fife Council is now demanding a moratorium on UCG, in addition to the current Scottish Government moratorium on fracking, as this would allow for a full public health impact study and a full public consultation and review to be completed.

"As Fife is one of the local authority areas likely to be most impacted by unconventional energy, we want to make sure that elected representatives, local communities and businesses are fully engaged in decisions that will shape their local area."

(LM/CD)