Row over calls to delay decision on gas rig proposal near Scarborough
A row has broken out over calls to postpone a meeting that is set to decide on plans for a 38m gas drilling rig near Scarborough.
Scarborough and Whitby’s MP has called on North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee to delay debating Europa Oil & Gas’ plan to install a 38m tall drilling rig on land in Burniston.
The oil and gas company behind the plan, which proposes using a controversial “proppant squeeze” method to extract the gas, has said there is “no justification for delaying a decision on the application”.
The firm has said the site, near the North York Moors National Park, is a “potentially significant gas resource” and, if further approvals were granted, extraction could take place for “about 20 years”.
Alison Hume, the Labour MP for Scarborough and Whitby, said: “I believe, because of events on a nationwide governmental level, it makes sense to push this meeting back.”
The national developments Ms Hume referred to include the launch of the government’s consultation on would-be changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which runs until March 10.
However, Europa’s CEO, William Holland, said that “taking into account the direction of travel of the new draft NPPF there is no justification for delaying a decision on the application.”
He said: “The current evidence base, both nationally and internationally, proves the proposed operation at Burniston is safe and environmentally sound.
"The UK onshore oil and gas industry is one of the most heavily regulated in the world.”
The firm has faced opposition from residents and politicians, including the Reform-led Scarborough Town Council, over concerns about the environmental and economic impacts of the scheme.
More than 1,500 locals have told NYC they object to the plans.
While the Government has said it is committed to banning fracking for shale gas, ministers have recently suggested that the scale of the proposal in Burniston would not fall under the moratorium.
Minister for Energy, Michael Shanks, recently said: “I want to be clear that this Government makes policy based on evidence.
“Although I have listened very closely to Alison Hume ’s points, the evidence base is not there at the moment to suggest that low-volume hydraulic fracturing activities have the same associated risks as fracking for shale gas.”
Friends of the Earth wrote to North Yorkshire Council notifying it of the legal opinion it had obtained that said that proppant squeeze qualifies as fracking under relevant planning policy, and that it must be considered as such when the council considers Europa’s application for planning permission.
Mr Holland, Europa’s CEO, has claimed that “campaign groups and activists are spreading misleading, false, and defamatory material and information which has led to unnecessary alarm and concern among the public.”
He added that “despite this, the public understands that in order to deliver a secure, ordered and commercially sustainable transition from fossil fuels the UK is still required to access the country’s own hydrocarbon resources wherever viable within the planning and environmental legislation”.
Ms Hume said: “Supporting a short delay to the committee meeting, rather than deferring a decision during the hearing, would allow the application to be considered under the most up‑to‑date national policy framework.
“This would ensure all relevant views can be heard in a fair and balanced way and that the committee has the latest guidance available when reaching its decision.”