Controversial plans to drill for gas and carry out lower-volume fracking near the North York Moors National Park will be considered at the end of the month, it was confirmed this morning.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Council said members of its strategic planning committee would discuss the application on Friday 30 January 2026. The meeting will begin at 1.30pm at Scarborough Town Hall.

The application, from Europa Oil & Gas Limited, includes creating a wellsite, installing a 38m drilling rig and carrying out a proppant squeeze – a lower volume form of fracking – to explore and test for gas at Burniston near Scarborough.

About 1,600 objections to the application have been submitted.

Representatives of the objectors, the applicant and local representatives will have an opportunity to speak at the meeting.

Councillors will visit the proposed site before the meeting takes place.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, whose responsibilities include planning committees, said:

“We recognise that this is a planning application that has attracted significant public interest.

“We have received more than 1,500 representations as part of the planning process, and we understand that many people feel strongly and passionately about the proposals that have been submitted.

“As with all planning applications, I would like to reassure everyone that all representations will be carefully considered by members of the committee prior to any decision being made.”

The meeting will be broadcast live on the council’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@northyorksc.