The First License to Fracture the Shales of the Vale of Pickering.
The first planning permission for fracturing the stata holding shale gas and oil and exploration of economic viability since Qadrilla started its ill stared operation in Lancashire in 2011 was agreed by the UK Government this December. The Trust has published several pieces on the general subject of ‘fracking’ over the last few years. The following is designed to give a visual guide of the Pickering area. It also gives a reasoned outline published by the CPRE of Shale Oil and Gas, the Yorksire County Council planning ruling.
The location of the site is demonstrated by the three preceding plans: the second firther demonstrats the complexity of licensed areas owned by a plethorer of exploration companies.
Fracking decision
Published: 23 May 2016
North Yorkshire County Council’s planning committee has given the go-ahead for Third Energy to undertake fracking for shale gas in the vicinity of Kirby Misperton.
The committee sat for two days on 20 and 23 May and listened to more than 100 speakers before deliberating the planning officer’s report and recommendation to accept Third Energy’s application. This has been a long and taxing process which the committee has undertaken with very careful consideration of all the issues raised.
This decision was a single decision on a single site in North Yorkshire which already has existing conventional drilling for gas on it.
The planning committee was satisfied that in this particular application mitigation of the effects of the development with regard to safeguarding the natural environment, protected species and habitats, the amenity of local residents, the protection of ground and surface water quality and traffic management can be achieved through the discharge of the planning conditions.
The County Council is very aware that this is a controversial proposal of major sensitivity and complexity and that many objections have been expressed about significant and adverse impacts upon the environment and upon climate change.
The Council is proud that North Yorkshire is a beautiful place to live in, to work in and to visit and is determined that it will remain so. This decision does not change that fact.
Local councils are required to work within the national policy framework that indigenous oil and gas remain key to energy security while facilitating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This must be a material consideration, as is the need for economic growth and development that will provide jobs and sustainable communities.
Nevertheless, North Yorkshire did not choose to be the first authority to make a decision on fracking within this policy framework.
The local circumstances associated with each application remain the overriding factor in planning decision-making. The County Council planning committee has come to a decision, therefore, based on the particulars of this site. This decision does not have a bearing on future applications.
“This has been a very difficult decision for the Council to make and we know it is a difficult decision for the people of this county,” said Richard Flinton, North Yorkshire County Council’s chief executive. “We are proud of our beautiful county, which attracts so many visitors and maintains a thriving tourism industry. We have no intention of jeopardising those qualities and our rural industries and livelihoods. For that reason, the planning conditions must be fully discharged and monitored. In this case, there has already been drilling for gas on this site over many years. The decision taken today does not have a bearing on future decisions. Each application of this nature will be decided upon based on its own merits.”
December 2016 the Secretary of State ratified the agudication of the council.
Vale of Pickering Drift Geology
Vale of Pickering Drift Geology
Major Aquifers
Shale Formations Suitable for Shale Oil and Gas Exploration.