Fracking well near North York Moors National Park backed by council planner

Fears over pollution and the risk to the ‘right to the peaceful enjoyment of one’s property’ fail to win over planning official

Flames spurt from an imitation fracking rig and drill installed by Greenpeace activists in Parliament Square, central London. The shale-extracting technique could take place near the North York Moors (PA)

Fracking looks set to return to Britain after a five-year gap with a planning officer giving its approval for the controversial gas-extraction technique to be used near the North York Moors National Park.

The last time the technique was used in the UK – in 2011 near Blackpool – it was blamed for causing two minor earthquakes.

Campaigners say fracking can pollute ground water, result in harmful emissions of gas and should not be allowed because burning gas contributes to global warming.

However, the government has been trying to encourage the fledgling industry in the UK after its widespread adoption in the US created a gas boom that has pushed down the cost of oil throughout the world.

In a 252-page report, a North Yorkshire Council planning officer recommended allowing Third Energy to begin exploring for shale gas near the village of Kirby Misperton.

The report said it had taken into account the company’s environmental statement, claims made by campaigners about the environmental dangers of fracking, the Human Rights Act, the views of people living near the site about their “right to the peaceful enjoyment of one’s property” and “the right to respect for private and family life and homes”, in addition to a number of other factors.

And, as a result, the officer recommended that planning permission be granted “for the purpose to hydraulically stimulate and test the various geological formations previously identified … followed by the production of gas from one or more of these formations into the existing production facilities, followed by wellsite restoration”.

However, councillors will make the formal decision at a meeting of the planning committee on 20 May and this could then be the subject of an appeal.

Campaigners expressed the hope that local politicians would throw out the scheme.

Ian Conlan, from Frack Free Ryedale, said: “When democratically elected councillors see the overwhelming opposition from our communities to fracking – and the votes of Ryedale District Council, all five Ryedale town councils, and numerous parish councils – we hope that they will recognise the strength of public opinion and turn this application down.”

Simon Bowens, Friends of the Earth's Yorkshire campaigner, said: “While it is disappointing that planning officers have dismissed the serious risks of fracking in Ryedale, Third Energy shouldn't be popping champagne corks yet.

“North Yorkshire councillors have been presented with clear evidence that Third Energy's application could harm local wildlife, local business, people's health and the environment.”

Rasik Valand, Third Energy’s chief executive, said it was “pleased” by the news.

“We have addressed the wide range of questions, concerns and comments raised by [the council], statutory consultees and others,” he said.

“Third Energy has been drilling wells and producing gas safely and discreetly from this site in Kirby Misperton for over 20 years and we will continue to maintain the same standards in the future.”