New Date Set for Decision on Controversial Gas Rig Plans Near Scarborough

North Yorkshire councillors will meet on April 24 to decide on Europa Oil & Gas's controversial proposal to construct a temporary 38-metre gas drilling rig in Burniston, following a previous delay.

A new date has been set for councillors to decide on controversial plans for a 38 metre gas drilling rig near the North York Moors National Park.

The proposal by Europa Oil & Gas is to construct a temporary wellsite to assess the potential for natural gas in Burniston near Scarborough, and has been recommended for approval by planning officers.

A meeting to decide on the scheme was postponed in January after requests were made that the government look into the application.

However, the plans were not called in by the government and the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG ) said the secretary of state was “content that it should be determined by the local planning authority”.

Councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee will consider the application and its proposals when they meet at 1pm on Friday, April 24, at Scarborough Town Hall.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, whose responsibilities include planning committees, said:

“We know that this is a planning application that has attracted significant public interest, with more than 1,500 representations made about the proposals.

“As is the case with all planning applications, members of the committee will carefully consider all representations prior to any decision being made.”

January’s planning meeting was postponed just days before the decision was due to be made and a public demonstration had been planned to coincide with the gathering.

Earlier this month, Burniston Parish Council and a senior member of North Yorkshire Council expressed concern “regarding what appears to be a systemic failure in the planning process” of NYC’s handling of Europa Oil & Gas’ proposal.

The formal complaint highlighted alleged failures in the administration of the online planning register, procedural errors, the way technical evidence was considered, and a “perception of bias and pre-determination”.

North Yorkshire Council said it believed its approach had been “correct and robust” and added that it would seriously consider all concerns that were raised with the authority.

North Yorkshire Council’s corporate director of community development, Nic Harne, said:

“We believe our approach has been correct and robust.

“However, we take all concerns raised with us seriously and will consider each of the points carefully.”

Prof Chris Garforth, of Frack Free Coastal Communities, previously raised concerns about the possible effects of the venture.

He said:

“We’re worried that, as has happened elsewhere, pollutants and chemicals from the process will find new pathways through the fracked rocks into the aquifers (a layer of rock, sand, or earth that contains water) on which Scarborough depends for its drinking water.

“We’re also worried about above-ground effects such as air pollution, dust pollution, noise pollution and light pollution.”

Europa has previously said the scheme would be positive for the local economy and “no-one is going to notice” its presence.

North Yorkshire Council has recommended the scheme for approval, adding that “it is considered on balance that there are no material planning considerations that warrant its refusal”.

The authority said there would be no unacceptable adverse environmental impacts resulting from the proposed development, and it had a temporary nature of up to three years.

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