The firm behind plans to build a gas drilling rig in a North Yorkshire village has launched an appeal after the scheme was refused by councillors.
Europa Oil & Gas wants to build a temporary 125ft (38m) rig in Burniston to explore the potential to extract gas.
The rig would use the “proppant squeeze” method, which has been likened to “small-scale fracking” but is allowed under current legislation.
The appeal has been lodged following North Yorkshire Council’s formal rejection of the plans in May, and will now be determined by the Planning Inspectorate.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the plans attracted more than 1,600 objections from local residents.
Friends of the Earth campaigner Tony Bosworth said: “This appeal will only create more concern and uncertainty for local residents who are understandably worried about the impact of fracking on their community and environment.
“Now we need the government to act. Proppant squeeze is simply fracking by another name.
“Ministers must deliver on their promise to ban fracking for good by ensuring it includes all forms of this technique – including proppant squeeze.”
Europa Oil & Gas has been contacted for comment, though CEO, William Holland, previously explained that developments of this nature “can be carried out responsibly”, adding that the firm was “committed to working constructively with the local community throughout”.
He said: ”The development is limited, and it does not determine any future development. Let’s be clear, if we are successful, we will make another application, and it will create jobs and support the UK economy; it will also create gas that will be consumed here in Yorkshire.”
He added he was “quite confident” the rejection would be overturned at appeal.
If Europa’s appeal succeeds, the firm would be able to establish a temporary exploration wellsite, although any future production proposals would require separate consent.
