Residents attempting to submit their comments regarding a planning application for a proppant squeeze fracking well near Scarborough have encountered difficulties with the online planning portal.
This issue has been raised by Councillor Rich Maw, who stated he had been contacted by numerous residents reporting issues with submitting comments about the plan on the North Yorkshire Council planning website.
Speaking at a planning meeting yesterday, Councillor Maw sought clarification on when the issue would be resolved and requested "an extension of at least a week" given the problem.
In response to these concerns, the Council's Head of Planning, David Walker, acknowledged the technical issue with the comment submission aspect of the planning portal.
Mr. Walker stated that
"as soon as we were aware of this issue, we have on the council's website identified alternative means for third parties to submit comments through a particular a bespoke email address and I know people are making use of that facility".
He clarified that
"the issue isn't affecting people's ability to look at the application documentation is purely the comment submission aspect".
Further reassuring residents, Mr. Walker explained the Council's general approach to planning application comments saying that "in practice", they accept comments beyond the official deadline.
Europa Oil & Gas is seeking to install a 38m high gas drilling rig on land in Burniston, near Scarborough, as part of its “proppant squeeze” project which was submitted last week.
If plans are approved by North Yorkshire Council, the initial scheme at Burniston would test whether gas could be extracted on a commercially viable basis and, if further approvals were granted, extraction could take place for “about 20 years”.
Campaigners from anti-fracking groups in Scarborough and the wider coast have said a protest march will take place in Burniston on Saturday, March 22, against the plans submitted by Europa Oil & Gas.
Newby and Scalby Town Council have arranged a drop-in session next Monday afternoon (17th March) for local residents to let the Town Council know their views on the planning application to drill for gas at a site on Coastal Road, Burniston.
The Town council say the event will take place at Newby and Scalby Hub, 445b Scalby Road, Newby (opposite the library) on Monday 17th March from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
They say residents will be able to drop-in during those times to
- view the planning application and see how it might affect you
- let the Town Council know your views, to include in our report to North Yorkshire Council.
Frack Free Coastal Communities says it is holding an open meeting on March 18th at the Scarborough Rugby Club at 7pm to discuss the plans, there is more information at https://www.frackfreecoastalcommunities.co.uk/
"At Burniston Parish Council, working with Councillors from Cloughton Parish Council and Newby and Scalby Town Council, we have been looking at the proposed application and its potential impact, this included a public consultation.Now that the application has been received, we will be taking further consultation, finalising our response and submitting it to the Planning Officers, at North Yorkshire Council.Whether you are in favour of this application or against it, if you want your opinion to be heard by North Yorkshire Council, it is imperative that you contact them directly."
The planning application can be seen at
https://onlineplanningregister.northyorks.gov.uk/Register/Planning/Display/NY/2025/0030/ENV
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