About 1,400 formal objections have been submitted in a public consultation on the Europa Oil & Gas exploration plans near the North York Moors national park.

At the time of writing, just seven responses to the consultation supported the company’s planning application.

DrillOrDrop has analysed all the comments and examined the key issues about the plans in the village of Burniston.

You can read a summary below (Main reasons for objection) and find out more by clicking on the subject links at the bottom of this article.

DrillOrDrop previously reported on Europa’s application. Recent articles here:

• Long-awaited North Yorkshire gas plan published, 7/3/2025
• North Yorkshire gas drilling plan revealed 5/2/2025
• Burniston drilling meeting – key points and reaction 27/9/2024
• More details on proposals for gas drilling and small-scale fracking near Scarborough 13/9/24

Main reasons for objection

Many of the objections mentioned multiple reasons for opposing the planning application. But our analysis shows the top 10 reasons given for objection were:

1. Climate change
2. Traffic and road safety
3. Impact on local landscape
4. Noise
5. Threat to wildlife
6. Impact on tourism
7. Air quality
8. Proppant squeeze – a form of hydraulic fracturing proposed by Europa
9. Threat to water supplies
10. Impact on the Heritage Coast and Cleveland Way

Our analysis also revealed what proportion of responses mentioned these key issues:

• More than half: climate change and traffic
• Almost half: landscape impacts, noise, wildlife threat
• About two-fifths: proppant squeeze or fracking and impacts on tourism, water supplies and air quality
• More than a third: Induced seismicity, emissions, light pollution, impact on the Heritage Coast and Cleveland Way

Other concerns were related to the key issues.

• Nearly one-fifth of comments specifically mentioned accidents, mostly on local roads
• More than a quarter mentioned economic damage or lack of economic benefit from the site
• A quarter referred to coastal erosion and the fragile cliffs near the site
• A quarter were concerned about the general environmental impact
• Nearly a quarter specifically mentioned the impact on the local community
• Nearly a quarter specifically said the site was too close to Burniston or homes
• Nearly a quarter mentioned the proximity of the site to the North York Moors National Park
• Nearly a quarter specifically referred to the impact on human health
• A fifth mentioned the impact on recreation for residents and tourists

These figures may change slightly as final comments are submitted to the consultation, which is why we have not used exact percentages. North Yorkshire Council has said it will accept responses up to the date of its decision meeting.

More details

Click on the links below for detailed articles on what people said about their concerns on the key issues:

Climate change

Traffic and road safety

Landscape and tourism

Threat to wildlife and nature

Health and pollution fears

Proppant squeeze/fracturing and induced seismicity

Economic impact and need for gas

Too close to homes

Other application inadequacies