MP Demands Fracking Clarity as Controversial Burniston Gas Drilling Site Nears Decision

Alison Hume, the Member of Parliament for Scarborough and Whitby, is urgently pressing the Government for definitive clarity on its plans to outlaw all forms of fracking.

It comes as a contentious planning application for a new gas site using the “proppant squeeze” method heads towards a decision by North Yorkshire Council.

The application, submitted by Europa Oil & Gas for a 38m gas drilling rig in Burniston, near Scarborough, has ignited significant local opposition across the Yorkshire Coast, with critics asserting that the technique exploits a loophole in the current moratorium.

Ms Hume emphasised the necessity of closing this definitional gap quickly for the sake of her constituents. She detailed her ongoing fight to ensure the ban covers the controversial procedure, stating:

"I'm asking the government for clarity on our position.

We're going to be banning fracking going forward, but I we need to make it crystal clear that this is all forms of fracking. It's the action of fracking rather than the volume of water or any other chemical. It's it's a it's a loophole, but unfortunately it's taking time to resolve this.

And I realize that for my constituents, it's a really worrying time. But I remain really optimistic that not only will Main fracking be banned but also proppant squeeze as well."

The looming deadline for the decision by North Yorkshire Council (NYC) has led to fears that, under current legislation, the local authority may be unable to refuse the application, despite receiving approximately 1,500 third-party objections.

During a recent discussion, local councillor David Chance raised the critical question of governmental intervention, asking Ms Hume:

"My understanding is that if the application comes before NYC at the moment given the current legislation, there is probably no reason to refuse it.

Is it possible that the minister can look at this prior to that meeting and call it in because that would solve a problem for for everyone?"

In response, Ms Hume confirmed she is actively working to have the decision "called in" by a minister, bypassing the local planning process:

"I have already had that conversation with Minister Shanks. I believe probably the only minister can call it in will be Steve Reed from MHCL. I've got a meeting with Michael and I'll raise it again. I understand the critical timeline."

The Core of the Controversy

The debate centres on whether the ‘proppant squeeze’ method constitutes ‘fracking’ under current rules. The operator, Europa Oil & Gas, argues that their proposed method uses a smaller volume of liquid than the definition set out in the moratorium (which targets volumes of 1,000m3 per fracking stage). A spokesperson for Europa maintained that the low volume hydraulic fracture "in no way infringes on the law" and insisted that "it is a misconception that there is a loophole".

However, opponents, including Ms Hume, contend that the procedure should be included in the moratorium. Ms Hume has repeatedly stated that she is campaigning hard to extend the ban.

"If it looks like fracking, talks like fracking and walks like fracking then it probably is fracking," Ms Hume asserted, arguing that the loophole must be closed permanently to prevent other companies from "pil[ing] in with applications to exploit the loophole".

This view is backed by organisations such as Friends of the Earth, which obtained legal opinion stating that proppant squeeze qualifies as fracking under relevant planning policy and must be considered as such by North Yorkshire Council.

The MP, who has hosted several public meetings on the issue, stressed that she has been studying the technical details of the proposal, explaining, "I'm an MP that likes to literally drill down the detail".

Concerns regarding the drilling application near Scarborough have been formally raised by North Yorkshire Council as well, whose executive member for open to business, Coun Mark Crane, wrote to the Secretary of State for Energy, Ed Miliband MP. Coun Crane requested an indication of the Government’s precise position and the timeline for legislative changes, particularly whether the definition of hydraulic fracturing operations would be reviewed or extended.

Despite the Government’s announcement that permanent legislation to outlaw fracking would be introduced at the earliest opportunity, as indicated by Mr Miliband at the Labour Party Conference, the application in Burniston keeps the threat immediate for coastal communities.

Ms Hume underlined the high stakes for the region, warning that if drilling is permitted in Burniston, "it'll happen elsewhere," concluding: "we are on the fracking front line". The decision by North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee is anticipated "in the near future".