Plans to explore for gas near a village between Scarborough and Bridlington will not need a detailed environmental assessment, council officials have decided.

Egdon Resources revealed earlier this year that it wanted to construct a well site and drill and test an exploration well near the village of Foxholes.

The company said the proposal would not “result in significant effects on the environment”.

It argued that a future planning application for the site should not need an environmental impact assessment (EIA) or detailed environmental statement on the likely effects on the surrounding landscape, wildlife and people.

North Yorkshire Council has now agreed.

In a formal response to Egdon, council planners said the proposal “would not have significant impacts upon the environment”. It added:

“Given the location, size, and temporary nature of the development, it is clear that any issues can be addressed and mitigated through the use of tailored conditions

“It is considered that the likely impacts identified for the proposed development which includes the construction of a temporary well site, operation of a drilling rig for the exploration of subsurface hydrocarbons, testing and retention of the equipment at land north of Butt Lane does not warrant the preparation of a formal Environmental Statement.”

The decision, published on the council’s planning portal and posted below, concluded that the proposed well site did not qualify as an environmental impact assessment (EIA) development.

Impacts

The council’s response, known as a screening opinion, identified measures that Egdon should take to reduce risks to the environment.

Water quality: The proposed site is on a chalk principal aquifer and operations could contaminate ground water. The planners said an impermeable membrane installed on the site would mitigate the risk of contaminants moving into soils or ground water. Protection of the aquifer would be controlled through conditions, working practices and environmental regulations”, they said.

Waste: The planners said it was unlikely there would be a significant effect from waste generated from the construction and decommissioning phases.

Air pollution: The site would not release any substances into the air, the planners said.

Traffic: The five phases of the project, over a period of three years, would generate 600 journeys to the site by heavy goods vehicles, Egdon has said. The screening opinion said a planning application should include a transport assessment considering the impact on local roads and any improvements that might be needed.

Human health: The site would create noise and there would be potential impacts from lighting, air quality and vibration. The planners said an application should include technical assessments and management plans to ensure these issues were addressed appropriately. Potential risks to people from noise, dust and water contamination could be minimised through the use of conditions.

Flooding: The site could potentially contribute to flood risk in the area but the council said “this is considered manageable through conditions and good design

Landscape: The site is 900m south of the proposed boundary of the Yorkshire Wolds National Landscape (area of outstanding natural beauty. The planners said the landscape was considered to be distinctive and likely to be sensitive. They ruled that a planning application should include a landscape and visual impact assessment.

Wildlife: Significant effects from the proposed development are considered unlikely. A future planning application should include a full ecological impact and biodiversity net gain assessments, the council said.

Climate change: The screening opinion had no reference to climate change or greenhouse gas emissions.

Drilling rig: Egdon proposes to use a 38m drilling rig. This would be easy to see from any direction, including nearby homes, the planners said. But they said the rig would be in place for a maximum of six weeks and the “impact on landscape and visibility would be limited”. They said screening would not fully conceal the rig.

Heritage: The site is within a prehistoric landscape with a prehistoric or Roman trackway nearby. The planners said the proposal should be properly assessed for its impact on archaeology, with both a desk-based assessment and field evaluation.

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