A second public consultation is being held over an energy company's application to carry out fracking at a site in North Yorkshire.

The Environment Agency (EA) is launching the discussion for residents and local group's to submit their views on draft permits by Third Energy UK Gas.

The company is proposing to undertake shale gas exploration and production at Kirby Misperton.

However, before permits are issued, the EA will issue the permits following a 'rigirous' environmental assessment of the proposed activities.


The drafts set out conditions needed to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality and to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of wastes. If the permits are issued, Third Energy would have to follow these strict conditions to ensure that operations do not cause harm to people or the environment.

Ben Hocking, Yorkshire oil and gas programme manager at the EA, said: "Our regulatory controls for onshore oil and gas are in place to protect people and the environment. We will not permit activities that pose an unacceptable risk.

"This further stage of consultation gives the public and interested groups an opportunity to see our decision making process and have their say on the draft environmental permits."

The online consultation will run from today, 02 December to Friday, 15 January.

To access the documentation, visit here.

(LM/CD)