No coal bed methane production should take place in the Canonbie area without a full scale planning process being gone through, and local people being able to access independent advice on the impact of the process on the community and environment.
That's the view of local MP David Mundell, who is seeking a meeting with Council Chief Executive Gavin Stevenson to discuss how any future planning process would be dealt with and the Council's strategic approach to this sort of development.
Mr Mundell is also encouraging concerned local residents to attend an open forum at Canonbie Community Council on 10 October at which Buccleuch Estates will participate in a question and answer session.
Mr Mundell, who has met with both Buccleuch Estates and concerned residents, said: "It is clear that local people did not appreciate the full implications of the planning permission previously granted by the Council using delegated powers. It goes beyond testing and would allow production, which was not properly debated at the time. I believe that any move to production should be the subject of a new full planning process which should be subject to same level of scrutiny as a similar proposal in the Falkirk area.
“I hope the developers will give that undertaking and reassure local people that they will be able to have their say. We also need to know what the Council's strategic approach is to this sort of development and the other coal related proposals in the Canonbie area, and in particular how they see the balance between this activity and tourism.
"What is also clear is that local people need guidance from independent experts who can give them an unbiased view of the implications of any development, particularly flaring and water contamination, both of which I know concern local people. I welcome the fact that Buccleuch Estates want to engage directly with the local community and I urge people to go along to the meeting on 10 October to put their questions and seek the assurances they require," he added.