Fracking at Burniston rejected by North Yorkshire’s strategic planning committee has rejected 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.