media watch 4, page-3

The councils views are about as relevant as any interested party who is free to submit evidence to the 2 'reporters'. These reporters have final say. I believe the reporters are assigned by the Scottish government.

A much more significant body, SEPA (Scotland environment protection agency) are happy with the application and always have been, saying the monitoring tools in place are sufficient.

I read about stirlings take on things a few weeks ago may be a bit rusty but my understanding is this:

Stirling object due to the cumulative impacts of DTE's application and future applications.

'Cumulative' impacts on the environment are a way of opposing it even though it's actual impact as objectively measured by SEPA verified monitoring is already set and ok'd. Stirling say that if this application is granted, and future one's granted (when considered independently on same framework), then the accumulated impact of all the drilling activity will be unacceptable.

The argument is very weak.