A planned gas drilling rig on the Scarborough coast has received draft approval for an environmental permit to explore for gas.
The Environment Agency has launched public consultation on its draft decision to grant Europa Oil & Gas an environmental permit for a temporary exploration wellsite known as Cloughton 2 near Burniston, Scarborough and the North York Moors National Park.
Europa said it would appeal the decision with the planning inspectorate.
The proposed proppant squeeze method has been likened to “small-scale fracking” and is allowed under current legislation.
However, the council’s decision is part of a separate regulatory process, and the Environment Agency (EA) said it was legally required to assess the permit application independently of the planning decision.
The EA’s permit includes the potential use of a well stimulation technique known as proppant squeeze.
This is used to improve the flow of gas from rock by injecting a mixture of gelled water-based fluid and sand into the well under pressure to open small cracks in the rock.
Ian Foster, Environment Agency Area Manager for Yorkshire, said: “We recognise there is significant public interest in this application, particularly following the local planning authority’s decision to refuse planning permission.
“The Environment Agency has a different legal role.
“Our responsibility is to independently assess whether the application meets the requirements of environmental legislation and whether the proposed activities can be carried out without unacceptable risks to people or the environment.”
He said: “Our assessment is evidence-based and we have published the reasons for our draft decision.
“We encourage anyone with an interest in the application to read the consultation documents and provide their views before we make our final decision.”
The new public consultation provides an opportunity for people to comment on the draft decision before a final decision is made.
All relevant responses will be considered before the Environment Agency reaches its final determination.
The consultation will remain open until September 23.
The EA said its draft decision followed a “detailed technical assessment of the application by specialist officers” and has considered the operator’s application, supporting technical information as well as the consultation responses received during the first public consultation.
The agency added that it “must determine whether the proposed activities meet the requirements of environmental legislation and whether they can be carried out without causing unacceptable harm to people or the environment”.
Speaking at a council meeting earlier this year, William Holland, the CEO of Europa Oil & Gas, said: “Developments of this nature can be carried out responsibly, and we are committed to working constructively with the local community throughout.
“The development is limited, and it does not determine any future development.
“Let’s be clear, if we are successful, we will make another application, and it will create jobs and support the UK economy; it will also create gas that will be consumed here in Yorkshire.”
Professor Chris Garforth of Frack Free Coastal Communities told the meeting: “Gas from North Yorkshire will not bring lower prices, because gas from here may well be exported.
“Energy security comes from speeding up a transition to renewable energy.
He added: “Visitors come here for the tranquillity of the heritage coast, which this development will blight.”
