The Environment Agency has granted the environmental permits to allow Third Energy to carry out fracking for shale gas at an existing borehole in North Yorkshire.

The Agency said the decision follows a rigorous assessment of Third Energy UK Ltd's proposals, as well as all comments submitted during two public consultations.

The permits set out the conditions that Third Energy must follow in order to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality and to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of waste materials.

Martin Christmas, environment manager with the Environment Agency for North Yorkshire, said:

"After completing a thorough assessment of Third Energy's application and all of the responses to our public consultations, we are confident that these environmental permits set out the right conditions to ensure that people and the environment are protected."

"Should Third Energy receive the appropriate planning permission and begin the permitted activities, we will stringently enforce the conditions of the permits to ensure that waste is managed properly and local groundwater is protected."