An 'effective ban' has been placed on fracking in Scotland.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse told MSPs earlier this week the government will not support the development of Unconventional Oil and Gas, stating fracking "cannot and will not take place in Scotland".

The move follows an extensive four-month public consultation on the issue, which received over 60,000 responses. Around 99% of responses were opposed to fracking with fewer than 1% in favour.

Opposition responses included; the potential for significant, long-lasting negative impacts on communities, health, environment, and climate; expressed scepticism about the ability of regulation to mitigate negative impacts; and some were unconvinced about the value of any economic benefit or the contribution of unconventional oil and gas to Scotland’s energy mix.

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In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Minister Wheelhouse said: "Having taken account of the interests of the environment, our economy, public health and the overwhelming majority of public opinion, the decision I am announcing today means fracking cannot and will not take place in Scotland.

"We have undertaken one of the most far-reaching examinations of unconventional oil and gas ever carried out by any government, anywhere. We have not taken the process or the decision lightly. At every stage we have created opportunities for discourse and debate.

"The views expressed through our consultation demonstrated that communities across Scotland, particularly in densely populated areas where developments could potentially take place, are not convinced there is a strong national economic argument when balanced against the risk and disruption they anticipate in areas, such as transport, pollution, crucially, their health and wellbeing.

"It is clear that people across Scotland remain firmly opposed to fracking – this government has listened and taken decisive action."

A parliamentary vote to endorse the ban will take place in the near future.

Despite campaigners welcoming the move, the Chief Executive of UK Onshore Oil and Gas, Ken Cronin, said it was a "poor decision".

"The Scottish Government ignores the advice of its own independent experts and prefers a future where gas will have to be imported with the damage that will do to the economy and the environment," he said.

(LM)