A second community group has asked for more time to comment on the environmental impact of fracturing plans in Yorkshire.

Last week, the Environment Agency (EA) extended the consultation period on lower-volume fracking at Burniston near Scarborough, after a request from Frack Free Coastal Communities

Today, West Newton Said No, a community campaign group in East Yorkshire, asked for more time to comment on a similar operation in at West Newton in Holderness.

The EA had said it was minded to approve the application by Rathlin Energy (EPR/BB3001FT/V006) to vary its environmental permit to carry out small-scale hydraulic fracturing at the West-Newton-A site.

The regulator set a deadline for final comments of 9 September 2025.

But West Newton Said No asked for a further month to comment until 9 October 2025.

The group said it was seeking the extension because new information in the application was complex and technical.

It said there was confusion about plans to carry out hydraulic fractures in a secondary fracture zone within the Kirkham Abbey.

It also said the permit imcluded no hydraulic fracturing plan and no details on how the process would be contained safely.

West Newton Said No complained that the consultation had been scheduled during the school summer holidays. The group said people who wanted to comment may be away for large parts of the consultation period and specialists could be unavailable to help.

It said:

“We understand that you respectfully listened to Frack Free Coastal Communities regarding Burniston and gave them an extension so I hope you can extend the same courtesy to the residents of East Yorkshire and beyond.”

It urged the EA to host a series of face-to-face public information events. It said a significant number of local people did not have internet access and the documents were complex.

“The public needs more clarity about the consultation directly from the Environment Agency so that they have the chance to ask pertinent questions before they make their comments.”

The group also called for several online question-and-answer events for people who could not attend face-to-face events.

West Newton Said No reminded the EA that it should follow government guidance on the duration, timing and accessibility of consultations.