PLANS to fast-track fracking applications and give greater powers for ministers to intervene in local decisions are “signs of utter desperation”, according to environmental campaigners.

Proposals announced by the Government yesterday designed to "kick-start the shale gas revolution" would fail in the face of overwhelming public opposition, Friends of Earth’s Andy Durling said.

Energy secretary and Hastings and Rye MP Amber Rudd the the country is at risk of missing out on billions and the creation of up to 60,000 jobs under the current planning system.

New guidance issued this week will increase powers of Government ministers to remove control away from local authorities if they are seen to be “obstructive” to shale gas applications.

Local Government and Communities minister Greg Clark will tell councils of an urgent need to explore and develop the country’s shale gas and oil resources and to ensure the country is able to "secure energy supplies, economic growth and lower carbon emissions".

Campaigners warned that the announcement could give encouragement to firms to reapply in Sussex.

Mr Durling predicted exploration firm Celtique Energie could again seek permission to drill in Fernhurst and Wisborough Green “to test the waters”.

Celtique pulled out of the projects in March after West Sussex County Council rejected planning permission in 2014.

The move is the latest bid by the Government to kick-start the industry which has stalled in the face of environmental concerns and public opposition.

Local authorities have previously been promised double the usual cut of business rates from the industry as an incentive to grant planning permission.

Green Party activist Mr Durling added: “It doesn’t surprise me that they have done this, in their own words they will do whatever it takes to make fracking happen.

“It flies in their so called commitment to localism and is a total contradiction of the fact that local authorities can say no to wind farms but not it seems fracking.

“It’s very worrying to have such an undermining of local democracy.

“But it’s not going to work, even the Government’s own surveys show fracking is becoming more unpopular month on month, and resident won’t let it happen so we will just end up with a number of turf wars.

“And it’s a waste of time because the price of oil has fallen so dramatically that it has put a lot of fracking companies in America out of business.”