No 24 -Thank you so much for your ongoing support for our campaign to stop the proposed drilling for gas in Burniston by Europa Oil and Gas. Welcome to our extensive Christmas Update!

STEERING GROUP UPDATE

Listen/watch all the news from the Frack Free Coastal Communities Steering Group. There is so much going on that we want to share with you. Click here.

READY TO BE SEEN AND HEARD?

North Yorkshire Council may decide to reject or approve the gas appraisal well in Burniston in January!!!! It is thought the Planning meeting will be held in Scarborough.

We will update you as soon as we know exactly where and when. As many people as possible must be there to show exactly what we think of the proposal. Nothing influences an elected representative more than the fear of losing votes!

We know NYC has written only ONE email to Europa and that was before the application went live. What was the point of the consultation? Who will answer the concerns, questions and information sent by more than 1500 objectors? Democracy is not the winner here!

The government responded to the parliamentary petition 'Ban "Small Scale Fracking" for Onshore Oil and Gas', but the response was so inadequate that the Petitions Committee has requested a revised response - we are still waiting to see if this response will be forthcoming. To see the government response and the request for a revised response click here. Democracy is not the winner here either!

FFCC have written a 2nd response to the planning application (download) to point out some discrepancies between the planning application and the and the application for environment permits. These include 4 not 1 proppant squeezes, 4 not 1 levels where the fracking waste will be left in the ground in Scalby, and cold venting of noxious gasses straight into the atmosphere.

Burniston Parish Council and Cloughton Parish Council have also written 2nd responses. Download them here (BPC) and here (CPC).

ARE WE NEARING A TIPPING POINT?

We know Ed Miliband has vowed to end all onshore fracking and new onshore licenses. For more information read this article from Drill or Drop.

Fracking means 'Hydraulic Fracturing'. The minerals plan states that '“Fracking is the fracturing of rocks by injecting a pressurized liquid in order to extract oil or gas”. This includes Burniston. Read more about this. Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby, is a staunch campaigner against the proposed fracking in Burniston and supporter of this group. She said to concerned residents at a public meeting arranged by her in Burniston that 'A United Stand Will Block Fracking Plans'. See an update of that meeting in Drill or Drop here

Alison Hume MP, Friends of the Earth, MPs from various parties, and anti fracking groups are working hard with the government to help to define the legislation to ban all fracking.

FFCC attended a meeting at the Labour Conference, organised by Alison Hume, where FFCC, FoE, Frack Free United and Ed Miliband's representatives worked to help preparation work on the new legislation.

Cllr Crane of NYC has written a letter to Ed Miliband seeking more information on the proposed ban on fracking. Read here for more details.

HOW ARE EUROPA COPING?

Europa is looking for investors to raise over £6.5 to fund the seismic study and appraisal well in Burniston in return for 40% of equity in the project. Click here for the 'flyer' from Envoi. Ruth Hayhurst from Drill or Drop investigates this turn of events and reports on resident's worries about the financial status of Europa in this article.

Why is Europa looking for outside funding for the 3D seismic study? It is concerning that if they cant find the money for the study (cost around 800K), then what is the status of their financial sustainability? They first planned to carry out the study in early 2025, then arranged with landowners for Autumn, and now they are saying next year. In the joint minerals plan it states that the applicant must provide seismic data about faults etc with the planning application and this information is simply not there! If Europa don't have funds for the 3D seismic or to fund the appraisal well project then how do they plan to clean up the area in the event the appraisal doesn't go to plan. We should learn from other people's hard earned lessons. Just this month Cuadrilla in Lancs were told to 'Clear up their mess, pack their bags, and get out of town' after the company had been given extensions to clean the well since June 2023, and applied for yet another 2 years for site restoration. Read more about it here.

Drill or Drop

Planning Officers place great weight on the number of individual letters of objection (or support) concerning a planning application. We are keeping our eyes peeled for the planning application to be lodged by Europa. This is expected around Christmas time or early in the New Year. When that time comes, we will let everyone know via this group and send a guide to help you to object.

What with the looming ban on all fracking, the lack of planning permission, the letter from Cllr Crane to Ed Miliband, and the seemingly unstable financial standing of Europa - Europa would be hard pressed to find investors.

At the same time, Europa has not appealed to the Secretary of State regarding the late determination of its planning application - perhaps they are not confident that this would be their best bet?

The strength of local and wider opposition is fierce and Europa must find that hard to deal with.

WHAT IS 'CALLING IT IN'?

This is a very brief explanation of 'calling it in' as this is a possible option in the future of this planning application. Normally the Local Council (North Yorkshire Council in our case) makes the decision on planning applications. However, if there is a change or conflict with national policy then the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government can 'Call it in'. If the SoS decides to call it in, the decision is taken from the local council and given to a planning inspector. Then there could be a public enquiry for the whole issue to be decided publicly. FFCC are considering asking the Secretary of State to 'call it in' if this fits in with the overall strategy with the partners we are working with. If we decide to go ahead, we will send you a full explanation of what we are doing and what calling it in is about in more detail, and how you can help. We need to be very careful of this option as there are pros and cons.

STILL TIME TO OBJECT

The planning decisions have not yet been made for either the Burniston or Foxholes planning applications and this means there is still a chance to submit your objection. In both cases email planning.control@northyorks.gov.uk with your objection. Please make sure you include your name and address. The earliest the Burniston application could possibly be considered by NYC is on 9th December. For Foxholes, DO NOT mention fracking as this is not (yet??) being applied for. alongside.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!

FFCC wishes you all a very happy Christmas and want to say a huge thank you for all your support, encouragement and donations. This is the only light we want above Burniston!

Thank you for reading our newsletter

Clare

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