Environmentalists are angry at a proposal to allow drilling and fracking for oil and gas only 150 metres from homes, schools and marae in South Taranaki.
Taranaki Energy Watch said the draft South Taranaki district plan failed to adequately address the high risks associated with the oil and gas industry.
The lobby group's spokeswoman, Sarah Roberts, said the space between schools and incompatible activities such as industry must not be set arbitrarily, but by looking at the real consequences of a worst-case scenario.
She said she was concerned that if the 150-metre distance was accepted in South Taranaki, it could be adopted nationally.
Public submissions on the plan close next Monday.
