Company wants permission for drilling in national park to search for gas

The Hampshire-based firm, Egdon Resources, has submitted a planning application to the North York Moors National Park Authority to carry out exploratory drilling work near Westerdale.

The scheme is the third mineral or gas extraction project to be unveiled amid mounting concerns from national park chiefs over the impact they will have on the environment.

Egdon Resources is seeking approval to drill a well on land south of Broad Gate Farm and build two short access tracks to the site.

The firm’s managing director, Mark Abbott, maintained that a public exhibition on the proposals for the gas plant which was held in March had been well received.

He said: “I think this was because there is a general acceptance of the need to exploit our recoverable gas resources and also because of their experience of our previous attempt to find gas in the area in 2006. We strive to be good neighbours and the site of that first borehole has now been fully restored to a high standard.”

International mining company, Sirius Minerals also aims to create a potash mine which could employ up to 5,000 people.