DORSET councillors have criticised Government proposals which would make it easier for exploratory fracking operations to take place – even though there is no suitable fracking sites in the county.

One Cabinet member described the move as a “flag waving” which, he said, had more to do with politics that practicalities.

“The geology of Dorset does not lend itself to fracking…so we might be accused of flag waving and gesture politics,” said Purbeck councillor Peter Wharf.

“I am neither for, nor against fracking, but there are no grounds to make it a special case,” he said.

His criticism of the consultation proposal to give fracking exploration operations what are known as permitted development rights was backed by other cabinet members.

Cllr Steve Butler said it would not be fair to make oil exploration by fracking a special case.

Natural and built environment briefholder Daryl Turner admitted during the discussion that Dorset had never seen an application for fracking and said he had been advised it was not viable in the county.

“The county council object to it being given permitted development rights – we see no reason why it should be treated any differently and believe there are adequate processes in existence which can deal with any issues.”

The cabinet heard that the proposals sought to make the exploration stage of fracking easier – by allowing permitted development rights, although any subsequent extraction would need planning permission in the normal way.

In a news release, issued as soon as the decision was taken, and pre-agreed with the county council’s public relation department, Cllr Turner was quoted as saying: “We have done the right thing today by objecting to the (MHCLG’s) proposals and asking for full justification from the BEIS. Without addressing our concerns at this stage, there is a risk that the proposals will be perceived to undermine local democratic accountability and integrity in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects planning regime.

“Dorset has not seen any applications for shale gas development, nor is there any indication that shale gas resources would be a viable source of energy here. Nevertheless, the county council has extensive experience of dealing with conventional hydrocarbons – notably at Wytch Farm in Purbeck – and there are matters in these consultations relevant to the county council’s role as the Mineral Planning Authority.”