THE Scottish Government has put a moratorium on underground coal gasification (UCG) in Scotland.

Kincardine is set to be the UK's first deep offshore project if plans from Cluff Natural Resources are approved, leading to a campaign from environmental groups and West Fife politicians, who have welcomed the ban.

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman said: "I have had a huge number of people write to me on this issue from all over Dunfermline and West Fife and today they will be very relieved that the Scottish Government has taken this bold decision which is direct contrast to the rushed “dash for gas” we’re seeing south of the border.

"I am looking forward to having further meetings with the Scottish Government to discuss how we grow the Dunfermline and West Fife economy and if future meetings are as fruitful as the one on UCG yesterday, we can look forward to very successful future.”

Councillor Lesley Laird, Fife Council’s depute leader and executive spokesperson on economy and planning, said:“This announcement, which rightly puts a hold on underground coal gasification for now, is a step in the right direction. But the devil will be in the detail, and I look forward to more information. Fife Council strongly urges individuals and communities to engage with this process so that we are fully informed about the best way forward for Fife.

“The moratorium on UCG is absolutely essential, as this will allow for a full public health impact study and a full public consultation and review. We want to make the best decisions possible for the people living and working around the Firth of Forth.

“As Fife is one of the local authority areas likely to be most impacted by unconventional energy, it is absolutely crucial that elected representatives, local communities and businesses are engaged in decisions that will shape their local area.”

In announcing the moratorium, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said:  “The studies announced today constitute an extremely thorough and wide-ranging examination of the potential impacts of unconventional oil and gas and underlines the Scottish Government policy of taking a precautionary, robust and evidence-based approach to this technology in stark contrast to the gung-ho approach of the UK Government.

“Ministers have held meetings with representatives of environmental non-governmental organisations, community groups, industry bodies and local government. Those meetings have helped us to prepare for the research and public consultation processes. As a result, we have planned a robust and thorough research process and a wide-ranging and participative consultation process.

“The public will understandably wish to study the outcome of the research process and thus the public consultation will not begin until the findings of the research process have been published.

“Scotland’s moratorium into onshore unconventional oil and gas extraction was welcomed by both environmental campaigners and industry representatives. It will remain in place as the research and public consultation is undertaken.

"We should never close our minds to the potential opportunities for Scotland from new energy technologies – but we must also ensure that community, environmental and health concerns are all fully taken account of. The research we propose in this timetable will give all interested stakeholders important information to allow a more informed debate during the public consultation.

“In line with our evidence-led approach we are today also putting in place a moratorium on the onshore planning of underground coal gasification developments to allow time for full and careful consideration of the potential impacts of this technology for Scotland.”