THE MP for Crossgates, Hill of Beath and Moss-side, Douglas Chapman welcomed the Scottish Government's decision to ban UCG developments.

He said: "Last year the Scottish Government put a moratorium into place on the development of UCG and fracking.

"The announcement on Thursday confirms the Scottish Government's position of applying the precautionary principle and UCG will not form part of Scotland's future energy mix.

"The SNP has taken a firm and resilient stance based on science, as they said they would do, and there will be many communities in my constituency that will be relieved that there will be no licences granted, no planning permission agreed to, and no activity undertaken that would see any UCG project get underway in West Fife or any other part of Scotland.

"This is good news for West Fife and great news for our local environment."