North Yorkshire County Council's planning committee has given the go-ahead for Third Energy to undertake fracking for shale gas in the vicinity of Kirby Misperton.

The committee has sat for two days and listened to over 100 speakers before deliberating the planning officer's report and recommendation to accept Third Energy's application.

 The County Council has now taken a single decision on a single site in North Yorkshire which already has existing conventional drilling for gas on it. A statement issued by the Council announcing the decision said:

“This has been a long and taxing process which the committee has undertaken with very careful consideration of all the issues raised “

“The County Council is very aware that this is a controversial proposal of major sensitivity and complexity and that many objections have been expressed about significant and adverse impacts upon the environment and upon climate change.” 

“But local councils are required to work within the national policy framework that indigenous oil and gas remain key to energy security while facilitating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This must be a material consideration as is the need for economic growth and development that will provide jobs and sustainable communities. “

“Nevertheless North Yorkshire did not choose to be the first authority to make a decision on fracking within this policy framework.”

Theb Government has welcomed North Yorkshire County Council's decision to approve Third Energy's application to frack for shale gas at Kirby Misperton.

Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom said:

“This decision has been made by the local council. We’re very clear that fracking is a fantastic opportunity. It’s good for jobs, the economy and strengthens our energy security.”

“We already have tough regulation in place to ensure that fracking is safe. We are now looking forward to the safe exploration of shale gas beginning and finding out just how much of this home grown energy supply is available to power our homes and businesses.”

Friends of the Earth - battle is far from over

The decision is unlikely to ward off further opposition to fracking – either  in Yorkshire or other areas of the UK.

 Simon Bowens, Yorkshire and Humber campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said: 

"This is an absolute travesty of a decision but the battle is very far from over.“

“Today 7 out of 11 North Yorkshire county councillors voted to approve this fracking application in Ryedale, ignoring the objection of Ryedale District Council itself, as well as thousands of local residents and businesses."

"Despite this decision, public support for fracking is plummeting as Wales, Scotland and countries across Europe have suspended it. The risks to people’s health and the environment are unacceptable and we will fight on."

Michael Bradshaw, Professor of Global Energy at Warwick Business School and author of several reports on the future of the UK gas industry for the UK Energy Research Centre commented:

"While Third Energy has got its planning permission, it is clear that it has failed to obtain a social licence from the local community.”

"The Kirby Misperton decision should have no bearing on the outcome of the Cuadrilla appeal, but the industry will feel buoyed by the fact that it is up and running again after a five-year hiatus. Other companies are waiting in the wings.”

"What we have seen, first in Lancashire, and now in North Yorkshire, is bound to be repeated elsewhere and with growing frequency. It seems that Nottinghamshire may be the next venue as IGas is considering its options. Given its current strong support for shale gas development, the UK Government is not likely to declare a moratorium any time soon.”