QUESTIONS over the fate of the various outstanding applications to conduct unconventional gas extraction works under Scottish land – more commonly known as fracking – were finally answered this week, as the Scottish Government announced that it would not be giving them approval.

Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse told MSPs that the decision followed an extensive period of evidence gathering, public engagement, and dialogue on the issue, including a four-month public consultation which received over 60,000 responses.

Overall, approximately 99% of the consultation responses were opposed to fracking and fewer than 1% were in favour. Mr Wheelhouse said: "The Scottish Government will not support the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland.

“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 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," he stressed. “We have not taken the process or the decision lightly. At every stage we have created opportunities for discourse and debate.

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

The announcement was given an immediate thumbs-up by RSPB Scotland, whose senior policy manager Alexa Morrison commented: “Because of the continued uncertainties around risks of fracking for the climate and wildlife, we are pleased to see the Scottish Government respecting the precautionary principle, an important foundation of environmental decision making, and ruling out the extraction of unconventional gas extraction through the planning system.”