County council faces challenge to approval of fracking plans

A county council is facing a judicial review challenge in the High Court over its decision to allow fracking.

The planning committee at North Yorkshire County Council granted approval on May 23 this year for Third Energy’s plans to frack for shale gas at Kirby Misperton in Ryedale.

Law firm Leigh Day, acting on behalf of resident group Frack Free Ryedale and Friends of the Earth, argued that the decision was unlawful. It claimed that:

• North Yorkshire had failed to properly assess the climate change impact of the fracking through its failure to consider the environmental impact of burning the shale gas extracted to create electricity at a nearby power station in Knapton
• The council had failed to secure long-term financial protection from the fracking company against environmental damage of the area

Leigh Day partner Richard Stein said: ‘Nearly everyone who responded to the council’s fracking consultation in Ryedale rejected the plans.

‘Local residents believe that fracking carries serious risk, including to their health, water supply, and to the local environment.’

Photo by petelovespurple