Europa Oil & Gas appeals Burniston gas rig refusal

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 21:03 · Archive

Europa Oil & Gas has appealed against North Yorkshire Council's refusal of plans for a 125ft (38 metre) gas drilling rig in Burniston village, near the North York Moors National Park. The council formally rejected the scheme in April or May, and the company has now lodged an appeal which will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate.

The proposal is for a temporary wellsite to explore gas extraction using the 'proppant squeeze' method, which campaigners have likened to 'small-scale fracking'. The technique is allowed under current legislation. According to the BBC, the plans attracted more than 1,600 objections from local residents.

Opponents, including campaigners and local politicians, have raised concerns about the scheme's impact on the local environment, tourism and climate commitments. Tony Bosworth of Friends of the Earth said: 'This appeal will only create more concern and uncertainty for local residents who are understandably worried about the impact of fracking on their community and environment.' He called on the government to ban fracking for good, including all forms of proppant squeeze.

Europa Oil & Gas has argued the scheme would create local employment and that residents would not notice the presence of the drilling rig. William Holland, the company's CEO, said: 'Developments of this nature can be carried out responsibly, and we are committed to working constructively with the local community throughout.' He added that if the appeal succeeded, the company would make another application and that it would create jobs and support the UK economy.

How it is being reported

• Firm launches appeal after gas rig plan refusedPlans to build a gas drilling rig were formally rejected by councillors in May.BBC York And North Yorkshire · 3 Nov, 16:39
• Europa Oil & Gas appeals refusal for controversial Scarborough gas rigTHE oil and gas company behind plans for a controversial gas drilling rig near Scarborough has launched its appeal against the council’s refusal of its plans.York Press · 3 Nov, 14:41
• Europa Oil & Gas appeals refusal for controversial Scarborough gas rigTHE oil and gas company behind plans for a controversial gas drilling rig near Scarborough has launched its appeal against the council’s refusal of its plans.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 3 Nov, 14:41

In this story: Europa Oil & Gas · North Yorkshire Council · Burniston · North York Moors National Park · Planning Inspectorate · Friends of the Earth · Tony Bosworth · William Holland

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log