Fracking ‘banned’ in North Yorkshire district

Ryedale Council passed the measure last night after councillors expressed concern about the possible impacts of fracking on health and the environment.

The district has become the focus of the battle over fracking in Yorkshire since Third Energy applied to use the method at a site near Kirby Misperton.

That application will be decided by North Yorkshire County Council so the impact of the Ryedale ‘ban’ will be limited.

However, as an interested party Ryedale Council will be consulted and the motion passed by councillors last night appears to bind the authority into outright opposition.

Coun John Clark, who proposed the motion, said: “I am delighted with the result of tonight’s vote, despite all the efforts of the council to stop it being debated for nearly a year.

“It is a disgrace that the council has not until this point realised the potential impact of fracking on the economy, environment and health of the people of Ryedale.”

The energy industry has repeatedly insisted fracking does not pose a risk to health or the environment.

The Government has given enthusiastic backing to fracking as a way of securing a new source of domestic energy and to create jobs.

A spokesman for Third Energy said: “There are no grounds for the Ryedale District Council vote. Responsible and internationally respected bodies and experts including Public Health England, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, have all concluded that the risks of fracking can be managed in a well regulated environment, which we have in the UK.

“Gas has been produced safely and securely, in Ryedale for over two decades. We trust that North Yorkshire County Council, which is the responsible planning authority, will consider all the facts before it makes its decision on our application at Kirby Misperton.”