The Campaign to Protect Rural England, North Yorkshire Branch does not oppose the exploitation of shale gas in principle provided that it meets certain conditions.
Our primary aim is to ensure that the location and operation of shale gas sites do not harm the beauty and tranquillity of the North Yorkshire countryside.
Our goal is to avoid damage to the countryside by encouraging a reduction in overall energy consumption and being more efficient with what we have! We are however, oppposed to fracking in or under the National Parks, AONB's and other protected areas. Whilst we recognise that National Parks have a key role to play in delivering the types of energy infrastructure that will be required to meet the UK's targets for renewable energy supply, this must be done in a way which is appropriate to the setting. Fracking has significant environmental impacts, damaging the landscape and ruining the tranquillity of these beautiful places. These adverse effects pose a clear and present danger to the tourism and agriculture industries that dominate the National Parks. Fracking is a non renewable source of energy and undermines the UK's progress towards meeting climate change targets. CPRE North Yorkshire recognises that we all have a role to play to reduce our energy consumption but we are realistic and recognise that there are no easy solutions to our energy mix if we are to meet our current needs and allow for fuel security in the long term. Although shale gas could reduce the use of more damaging resources such as coal, we must also continue to move towards a cleaner, more renewable mix.
We are opposed to fracking in or under our national parks in the case of Kirkby Misperton, our objection is based upon the impact on the countryside within and on the border of the North York Moors National Park
6 October 2016
As we await the key decision in Lancashire, the results of which are to be made public today, the following may be of interest!
14th June 2016
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/14/pressure-mounts-over-suppression-of-uk-fracking-impacts-report
7th June 2016
Matt Farrelly and Katie Atkinson present to Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Group and report on last month's KM8 application and discuss fracking in general see more on Matt, who presents an objective and informed reasoned argument about fracking
http://www.jbaconsulting.com/training/hydraulic-fracturing-shale-gas
1 June 2016
from the BBC website
The Scottish Parliament is to debate a ban on fracking as part of a Holyrood environment and land reform debate.
New Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham is to lead a debate calling for a "sustainable low-carbon economy".
Scottish Labour has tabled an amendment calling for a full ban on fracking, while the Greens have another speaking against it.
The Scottish government currently has a moratorium on the controversial method of gas extraction.
The SNP's manifesto for the Holyrood election committed to there being no fracking in Scotland "unless it can be proven beyond doubt that there is no risk to health, communities or the environment".
Labour, the Lib Dems and the Greens favour an immediate and outright ban, while Nicola Sturgeon has said she is "highly sceptical" about the technique.
GETTY IMAGESMs Cunningham's motion for Wednesday's debate asks parliament to agree that "Scotland's stunning natural environment is one of its most precious assets", and says that "wise and productive use of the country's natural capital is at the heart of a strong, sustainable, low-carbon economy".
25 May 2016
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3607888/Now-fracking-firms-set-sights-beauty-spots-Britain-Hundreds-sites-approved-drilling-including-national-parks.html
24 May 2016
22 May 2016
North Yorkshire County Councillors voted to approve the application. The motion was proposed by Robert Hesletine from Craven on the Lancashire border some one and a half hours drive from Kirkby Misperton. John Blackie, Councillor from Richmond, David Ireton (Ingleton in Craven) , John Packham from Sherburn in Elmet and Bill Hoult from Knaresborough all voted against. This now sets a precedent across the county and the country. The are 140 protected sites across Yorkshire under threat because of this worrying decision. Every Parish council, the local District council, 4035 individual objections, Baroness Ann Macintosh (the former MP of the area) and CPRE North Yorkshire's President, Lord Crathorne made valid representations for the people and local democracy. No one listened, no one heard them (apart from Blackie, Ireton, Hoult and Packham)
The 'fracking awful' or the 'F' word problem in Ryedale - time line
22 May 2016
Read the words of s38(6) carefully – it doesn’t say you have to find reasons to refuse an application that is contrary to the development plan – you have to determine it in accordance with the provisions of the plan (i.e. refuse it in this case). If you want to approve it, you have to demonstrate that there are material considerations to support approval. In plain terms, you have to find reasons for approving it.
Where a development is contrary to policy, the Courts have held that it is necessary to demonstrate positive advantages of allowing the development to proceed. There may be many material considerations to take into account, but some will represent positive advantages which will weigh in its favour, some will be neutral, which weigh neither one way nor the other, and some will be negative, which will weigh against the scheme.
So if this advice from a former planning inspector is correct - are we to assume that the committee of NYCC must find enough reasons to approve it compared to the reasons to refuse?
If that is the case then the balance tips towards refusal. As we said it's about balance and there are grounds to refuse that will stand up at appeal. Committee members must not judge applications against the fear of appeal.
20th May 2016
https://twitter.com/CPRENY/status/733651313238626305
20th May 2016
CPRE spoke at the Planning meeting held today at County Hall. Here is the speech:
I’m Jules Marley, the Chair of the Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Group and the North Yorkshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England
CPRE as we’re known is a national organisation founded in 1926.
Our North Yorkshire President, the Lord Crathorne, has a copy of this speech, which he endorses and supports.
We don’t oppose the principle of shale gas exploitation provided that it meets certain conditions.
Planning is about balance to ensure that we have the right kind of development in the right place at the right time for the right reasons.
Our primary aim is to ensure that the location of Shale gas sites DO NOT HARM the beauty and tranquillity of the English countryside.
We work to ensure that the natural resources of that countryside especially water are not polluted or used unsustainably.
that farming, a traditional and essential rural practice is enhanced and protected
that tourism, an essential part of the rural economy is acknowledged, enhanced and enabled…
and we also campaign to ensure that the daily lives and routines of rural communities are allowed to thrive to keep the countryside alive and breathing.
We’ve already responded to the thousands of pages submitted by the applicant and wish to highlight a few essential and important points today
The KM8 site is between 2 important and sensitive areas of landscape, a national park and an AONB, both of which are afforded the highest protection in planning policy terms.
It’s an accepted fact that development that takes place on the border of a national park has the potential to impact adversely on the very special qualities of that national park
The adverse impact on the tranquillity and landscape of the NYMNP is currently under threat from an industrial mining operation at Kirkby Misperton.
You, the decision makers with responsibly to decide the fate of this area, must be satisfied that the setting of these two nationally important areas are not in any way adversely affected by this proposal and this consideration must include the adverse or harmful impact of increased number of heavy goods vehicles
According to Ryedale District Local Plan 2013
KM8 sits within
an area of landscape of local value
and an area of HIGH LANDSCAPE VALUE
This local plan was recently found to be sound by an independent examiner which means it must NOT be overlooked in the planning balance.
Ryedale District Council as consultees did this.
A District Council is made up of democratically elected members whose role it is to represent the views of the people.
Ryedale District Council know their area, they know their residents and they understand their needs.
Ryedale District Council recommended refusal to the Minerals Planning Authority
Whilst the KM8 may be brownfield, it is 750 metres from a village and a mere 250 metres from the nearest residential property or someone’s home.
The preferred echo barrier which whilst temporary
is made up of metal shipping containers
stacked 9 metres high
and branded with commercial logos in the midst of rural North Yorkshire,
on which planet could this possibly be considered to enhance and benefit the local area and economy
The negative impact on the landscape will be much more significant as Third Energy has stated that they intend to conduct the initial stages of the project in the autumn and winter months when the leaves drop and the trees are bare
Whilst HGV movements may have been reduced to 72 per day, many of our local roads were designed for the horse and cart - any increase in vehicle movements will create chaos and degrade peace and tranquillity of the area.
There are grounds for concern about public safety of the many users of the footpaths criss crossing through the site because of the proposed high volume of HGV traffic movements.
Agriculture and tourism are the two predominant economic activities in the area, they are inextricably linked. People visit the area because of the outstanding quality of the countryside which is managed by our farmers. Farming provides food one our most basic needs
We have grave concerns that any spillages or leakages that may occur will impact on the water courses or the 29 boreholes in the area,
and indirectly onto the surrounding agricultural land. What goes down will come up but will it still be safe?
Contamination of water would be ruinous to livelihoods, health, crops, grazing land and eco systems
We’ve also been contacted by members who are concerned about contamination by association. in other words,
even if the leak doesn’t occur on my land, markets won’t buy my stock or crops because I’m from Ryedale where they are fracking’
this scenario has already played out across the world,
It is true we do have tighter environmental regulations in this country but
accidents happen anywhere,
and who has been able to categorically state that
well casing or pipes containing blowback fluid will absolutely never ever burst.
There simply are no guarantees and the risk to agriculture is too great to allow this to happen.
following on from agriculture, it’s our view that industrial mining operation in this part of ryedale will be detrimental or harmful to tourism.
Defra recently confirmed
fracking could reduce the number of visitors to the rural area, with an associated reduction of tourist spending in the local economy
Ryedale councillor, Di Keal said in the Yorkshire Post,
“How will North Yorkshire survive as a premier tourist destination if its landscape is to be industrialised on such an enormous scale?”
Flamingo land Resort and Zoo also objects, this is the most paid for visited attraction in North Yorkshire, within the top 5 in the UK.
Some campsites and tourism providers are a mere 400 metres from the site of this proposed industrial mining operation.
There is absolutely no doubt that this proposal would impact adversely (in planning terms) or in human speak, utterly destroy, the tranquillity and quality of our countryside,
Tourists will just chose to go elsewhere because beauty and tranquillity has gone or been degraded.
The applicant has indicated that several occasions that should gas be found at KM8 in sufficient quantities,
they they will seek further applications to frack in other Ryedale locations
Whist they are not being considered to day, there exists a clear and present danger of industrialising rural North Yorkshire.
This fracking industry is perceived to be be difficult to restrain once one approval has been granted
based on experiences abroad and our planning system.
Developers have publicly stated that they intend to cover north Yorkshire with as many as 950 wells.
Therefore , we appeal to you to place great weight on our objections to this proposal and protect this part of North Yorkshire for generations to come. This is simply the wrong kind of development in the wrong place for the wrong reasons. There are 32 supporting letters
3009 individual objections,
every parish council the first tier of local government has OBJECTED,
CPRE objects
our President, Lord Crathorne objects,
The people have spoken.
Please hear them and listen to them.
Please refuse this application
The harm clearly and demonstrably outweighs the benefits.
20th May 2016
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/28/uk-support-for-fracking-hits-new-low
18th May 2016
Lord Crathorne, our President, whilst unable to attend the meeting on Friday has endorsed our comments for the meeting on Friday. Lord Crathorne is opposed to fracking at Kirkby Misperton
16 May 2016
13 May 2016
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-3588177/Fracking-approved-North-Yorkshire-village.html
7 May 2016
6th May 2016
31 March 2016
The KM8 site is on the edge of the North Yorks Moors National Park. It is important to remember the following:Case study taken from Natural England publication 'England's statutory landscape designations; a practical guide to your duty of regard' (NE 243)
Development that takes place outside National Park boundaries can still have the potential to impact on the special qualities of National Parks, particularly on landscape quality and tranquillity.
31 March 2016
The following article appeared in the Yorkshire Post. We need more information with regard to fracking.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/earthquake-damage-fears-as-fracking-link-proven-1-7824817
CPRE North Yorkshire respond to further information application NY/2015/0233/ENV - the further information does not change our objection!
http://www.minsterfm.com/news/local/1919455/council-votes-against-fracking-in-ryedale/
15th March 2016
Ryedale Councillors vote against officer recommendation and against fracking at Kirkby Misperton - well done the councillors for reflecting public opinon!
24th February 2016
Application NY/2015/0233/ENV has been put out for re-consultation today. The consultation period will remain open for 21 days and will close on 16 March.
Should you or your organisation wish to comment on this further information, this can be done in the usual way of emailing km8application@northyorks.gov.uk.
19th February2016
8th February 2016
CPRE North Yorkshire appear on Radio York morning show again to discuss the fracking issue in Ryedale and the threat to the North Yorkshire coast around filey
22 January 2016
1st February 2016
CPRE North Yorkshire submits response to further information in relation to KM8 application.
18 December 2015
Letter published in the Yorkshire Post on the perils of fracking in Ryedale.
17 December 2015
CPRE North Yorkshire spoke on Radio York today at 4.00 pm regarding fracking in Ryedale. Katie Atkinson our planning expert represented the Branch.
Further coverage by the Yorkshire Post on the issuing of fracking in the area.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-accused-of-breaking-promise-over-britains-beauty-spots-with-raft-of-fracking-licences-a6777306.html
16 December 2015
16 December 2015
Dismay at announcment
After the Commons voted to allow fracking under National Parks and AONBs on 16 December, the Government announced a raft of exploration and well licences for companies one day later.
CPRE’s senior rural policy campaigner Emma Marrington analysed the announcement and found that the exploration licences granted included areas under three National Parks and five AONBs. Emma’s analysis and comments were covered by The Times, Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, ITV.com, the Metro and many local papers, such as the Yorkshire Post.
CPRE chief executive Shaun Spiers wrote a letter to The Times the following day criticising the Government’s approach to fracking in these landscapes (19 December).
23 November 2015
CPRE North Yorkshire responded to the further information submission regarding fracking in Ryedale
21 November 2015
We have received a copy of the objection from Sir Richard Storey, who makes a passionate plea to safeguard Ryedale. For his objection please see the attachment below entitled, 'Final Response"
4th November 2015
Application NY/2015/0233/ENV has been put out for re-consultation today. The consultation period will remain open for 21 days and will close on 25 November, should you or your organisation wish to comment on this further information, this can be done in the usual way of emailing km8application@northyorks.gov.uk. All of the new information can be found on the Online Planning Register.
October 2015
Ryedale Council approves fracking ban
13 October 2015
The North Yorkshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England were contacted by concerned residents of Ryedale regarding the Third Energy application at Kirky Misperton.
Our sister Branch, CPRE Lancashire have been faced with several threats in their area so we were able to use the CPRE structure to liaise and learn. It was decided, in view of the amount of documentation associated with the application, that we should employ a planning consultant to trawl through the files of information submitted by the applicant. The Branch employed Katie Atkinson of KVA Planning to examine the files and construct a response. Katie has worked extensively for CPRE North Yorkshire and has a wealth of planning expertise.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) does not oppose the exploitation of shale gas in principle provided it meets certain conditions.
Our primary aim is to ensure that the location and operation of shale gas sites do not harm the beauty and tranquillity of the English countryside. We are also concerned to ensure that the natural resources of the countryside, especially water, are not polluted or used unsustainably; and that it can be demonstrated how the exploitation of shale gas contributes towards meeting our climate change commitments consistent with established Government policy, for example by substituting for unabated coal use.
Our submission has now been lodged with North Yorkshire County Council and we shall continue to lobby against this application.
9 October 2015