North Yorkshire Council urged to delay fracking decision in Burniston amid major planning policy shift

Friends of the Earth has written to North Yorkshire Council urging it to delay its decision regarding a controversial new fracking proposal in Burniston. It comes after the government published draft changes to national planning policy last week that, if adopted, could have major implications for proposed new fossil fuel projects.

The green group has previously objected to the application lodged by Europa Oil and Gas, which would see the Burniston site developed for gas exploration using a process known as 'proppant squeeze’. The fracking project is also strongly opposed by local group Frack Free Coastal Communities and the local MP for Scarborough and Whitby, Alison Hume.

Proppant squeeze is a form of fracking which uses a lower volume of fluid to explore for and extract the fossil fuel. Because of this, it’s not covered by the current fracking moratorium.

In statement issued this week, Friends of the Earth said: “This loophole exists despite the Oil and Gas Authority (now the North Sea Transition Authority) previously concluding that it’s not yet possible to accurately predict the risk of seismic events, like earthquakes, based on the volume of fluid used in fracking.

"This means the use of lower volumes does not rule out risk. The loophole is something Friends of the Earth, alongside community groups such as Frack Free Coastal Communities, is campaigning to close.”

In its letter to North Yorkshire Council, Friends of the Earth draws attention to the revised draft National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which is now out for public consultation until March 2026. The draft framework proposes a more restrictive approach to granting planning consent for future fossil fuel projects.

The statement says: “Significantly, the changes remove the requirement for decision makers to give “great weight” to the economic benefits of onshore oil and gas developments when considering applications. Until now this policy has, in effect, tilted the planning system in favour of approving fossil fuel projects, making it easier for developers to secure consent and harder for communities and environmental groups to successfully oppose them.

“By contrast, there was no such “great weight” requirement in relation to renewable energy projects like solar and wind developments.

“This policy shift signals recognition of the need to transition away from fossil fuels as part of the UK’s response to climate change.”

Friends of the Earth has welcomed the move, seeing it as a major step towards aligning the planning system with the UK’s climate commitments and a policy change it has long called for.

Katie de Kauwe, senior lawyer at Friends of the Earth, said: “For too long fossil fuel projects have received preferential treatment in the planning system. The proposed changes, which help redress this imbalance and recognise the urgent need to transition to cleaner energy production, are welcome.

“The removal of language that gives “great weight” to fossil fuel projects could fundamentally change things, including for the Burniston fracking project which relies heavily on this requirement in its application for planning permission.

“Given the potential significance of these amendments, we believe it’s only right they’re factored into North Yorkshire Council’s thinking and that it delays the decision until the government finalises its national planning policy.”

There is no exact timeline for when North Yorkshire Council will make its decision on whether to approve the project, though it could theoretically happen early next year. Friends of the Earth argues that delaying the decision until the government has formalised its updated planning legislation would provide legal certainty for all parties and ensure the application is determined under the correct policy framework.

It also says deferring the decision, which would only be a modest delay, is in the public interest and would be reasonable for the developer given the changing policy context.

Friends of the Earth is urging North Yorkshire Council to defer the application until the revised NPPF is adopted, which is expected next year. If the council does choose to proceed sooner, then the group says it should give substantial weight to the draft policy changes when making its decision. North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director of community development, Nic Harne, said: “We have received a letter from Friends of the Earth and will consider the issues raised. A date has not yet been set for our planning committee to consider the application.”