Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, is pressing North Yorkshire Council to delay a decision on whether to give a proposed gas exploration in Burniston the green light.
NYC is due to consider the application, submitted by Europa Oil and Gas, next week as the company looks to perform a ‘Proppant squeeze’ on the outskirts of Burniston despite fierce opposition from residents and environmentalists alike.
Ms Hume, who has described the practice as “fracking in all but name”, has publicly voiced her opposition to Europa’s proposal and hosted two open meetings on the issue.
Now, having met senior figures in Westminster to press for the government moratorium on fracking to be extended, which would remove the “loophole”, she believes Europa is attempting to exploit, Ms Hume has signed a letter to NYC’s planning committee asking them to delay January 30th’s scheduled hearing because of developments at national level.
County Councillor Derek Bastiman (Scalby and the Coast) and Cllr Richard Parsons, of Burniston Parish Council, are also among the co-signatories.
Ms Hume said:
“My personal opposition to this plan – and that of the people who live in Burniston – is a matter of record.
“Europa and others call this method a ‘Proppant squeeze’ because it uses a smaller volume of fluid than so-called ‘traditional’ fracking. But, as I’ve always maintained, if it sounds like fracking and looks like fracking then it is fracking.
“I believe, because of events on a nationwide governmental level, it makes sense to push this meeting back.”
The national developments the letter and Ms Hume refer 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.
Among the points being considered is the removal of the requirement for planning authorities to give “Great weight” to the benefits of onshore oil and gas developments when considering applications.
If adopted, this would materially affect the way such planning applications such as the one at Burniston are assessed, with planners considering all factors on an equal basis without being required to give additional emphasis to the applicant’s position.
Ms Hume added:
“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.
“Given that decisions on onshore oil and gas planning applications may carry long term implications for North Yorkshire, I believe a brief postponement is reasonable.”
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