Fracking at Burniston rejected by North Yorkshire’s strategic planning committee as they turn down a planning application by Europa Oil and Gas to install a 125ft (38m) rig in Burniston village, close to the North York Moors National Park.
The decision was taken on Friday 24 April after after an almost five-hour meeting at Scarborough Town Hall, when councillors said they were “minded to refuse” the scheme, with all but one voting to reject proposals. The decision will be reviewed by the secretary of state before a final ruling is made.
There were more than 1,600 objections to the proposals and protesters gathered outside the town hall in Scarborough to voice their concerns. These included fears about environmental pollution, cliff stability, noise and light pollution, and impacts on groundwater.
The BBC reported that the North Yorkshire local ward councillor Derek Bastiman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service after the meeting: “I’m absolutely over the moon with the results. It’s been a long afternoon, but councillors considered everything, and they explored every avenue.” Whilst William Holland, CEO of Europa Oil & Gas, said his firm would appeal against the decision and felt “confident” about winning.
Earlier at the meeting, Prof Chris Garforth of Frack Free Coastal Communities said: “Gas from North Yorkshire will not bring lower prices, because gas from here may well be exported. “Energy security comes from speeding up a transition to renewable energy. Visitors come here for the tranquillity of the heritage coast, which this development will blight.”
Despite the rejection the fight against plans for a gas drilling rig near Scarborough and the North York Moors National Park goes on with the decision now resting with government.
Update (3.5.26)
In late April Friends of the Earth wrote to Communities Secretary, Steve Reed, requesting an additional screening direction (suggesting more information on the environmental impact of the proposal was needed) for the Burniston application.
Friends of the Earth has now received a reply from the Department saying “the Secretary of State declines to issue a screening direction in response to your request.” This clears the way for councillors to reject the application and issue a formal refusal.
Attention now turns to the government more widely given its pledge to introduce a permanent ban on fracking. Friends of the Earth is urging ministers to ensure that the upcoming ban includes all fracking techniques for fossil fuels – including proppant squeeze. The ban is likely to be part of the forthcoming Energy Independence Bill, which is expected to be introduced to Parliament in the coming months.
Tony Bosworth, of Friends of the Earth, said:
“With the final issue resolved, North Yorkshire councillors can now formally reject this damaging and unnecessary fracking proposal at Burniston.
“Fracking blights our countryside, won’t lower UK energy bills, and remains deeply unpopular.
“The focus now shifts to the government: it must deliver on its promise to ban fracking for good – with no loopholes. That means covering all forms of fracking, including ‘proppant squeeze’. If it fails, communities across England will remain under threat.”
Source FoE news release.
Note: Friends of the Earth: Government urged to now deliver on it’s promise to ban all forms of fracking for good. A copy of the letter from the Secretary of State’s office is available on request from the Friends of the Earth press office.
Please call the media team on 020 7566 1649 or email: media@foe.co.uk