A date has been set for councillors to examine a planning application seeking permission for a temporary wellsite to assess the potential for natural gas.

Europa Oil and Gas has applied to install a 38-metre drilling rig and use a "proppant squeeze" technique to extract gas for testing at a location near Burniston, close to Scarborough.

Members of the authority's strategic planning committee will consider the application at 1.30pm on Friday, 30 January at Scarborough Town Hall.

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During the meeting, the applicant, an objectors' representative, the local member for the Scalby and the Coast division, and a representative of Burniston Parish Council will each be able to speak for up to five minutes.

Councillors will undertake a site visit ahead 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."