Green light for Third Energy fracking plans in Yorkshire

THIRD ENERGY was yesterday given permission by local authorities to explore fracking in the North Yorkshire area.

In March, Ryedale District Council voted against allowing fracking in the area, but Third Energy stressed that they did not hold total responsibility for approvals.

Third Energy submitted plans to extract shale gas at a site near Kirby Misperton in Ryedale in 2015, and environmental permits had already been granted by the Environmental Agency.

More than 3,000 objections had been sent to county council planners.

Pollution of groundwater and potential earthquakes have been cited by campaigners, but Third Energy said it had taken “every possible step” to have minimal impact on the environment while fracking.

In a statement on their website, Rasik Valand, chief executive of Third Energy said: “This approval, is not as a victory, but is a huge responsibility.

“We will have to deliver on our commitment, made to the committee and to the people of Ryedale, to undertake this operation safely and without impacting on the local environment.

He warned not to expect activity on site in the near future, with other consents required before receiving final agreement from the Secretary of State.