A date has been set for councillors to consider a planning application which seeks permission to construct a temporary wellsite to assess the potential for natural gas.
The applicant, Europa Oil and Gas, has submitted an application to us proposing to install a 38-metre drilling rig and use a “proppant squeeze” method to extract gas for testing at a site close to Burniston, near Scarborough.
Councillors sitting on the authority’s strategic planning committee will consider the application and its proposals when it meets at 1.30pm on Friday, 30 January at Scarborough Town Hall.
During the meeting, there will be an opportunity for the applicant, objectors’ representative, the local member for the Scalby and the Coast division, and a Burniston Parish Council representative to each speak for a maximum of five minutes.
Councillors will undertake a visit to the proposed site in advance of the meeting.
Executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, whose responsibilities include planning committees, said: “We recognise that this is a planning application that has attracted significant public interest.
“We have received more than 1,500 representations as part of the planning process, and we understand that many people feel strongly and passionately about the proposals that have been submitted.
“As with all planning applications, I would like to reassure everyone that all representations will be carefully considered by members of the committee prior to any decision being made.”