Councillors reject plans for controversial Burniston gas drilling rig
They spent five hours in a meeting making the decision
Councillors have rejected plans for a controversial 38 metre gas drilling rig near Scarborough.
Europa Oil & Gas have applied to build a temporary wellsite in Burniston to look for natural gas.
The plans were recommended for approval by planning officers.
Councillors spent five hours today (24 April) in a meeting about the proposal and in the end said they are “minded to reject” it.
Campaigners staged a protest outside Scarborough Town Hall today as the decision was being made.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips said before the meeting: “We know that this is a planning application that has attracted significant public interest, with more than 1,500 representations made about the proposals.
“As is the case with all planning applications, members of the committee will carefully consider all representations prior to any decision being made.”
The Secretary of State has said he may want to look at certain aspects of the application though, meaning the decision may come back before councillors again.