Drone footage of the KM8 site, 16 December 2017. Photo: Eddie Thornton
Last updated 15/10/22
Key facts
Address: KMA wellsite, Alma Farm, Off Habton Road, Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire
Operator: Third Energy
Planning application: NY/2015/0233/ENV
PL080
Status: Received planning permission for fracking (now lapsed) but not hydraulic fracturing consent from the government. Now piloting geothermal energy after a change of company ownership.
Timeline
3 October 2022
People “strongly in favour” of using old gas wells for geothermal scheme – consultation. Details
24 May 2022
Views sought on green energy plans for ex-fracking site. Details
1 March 2022
Third Energy awarded government funding for heat network study using old gas wells. Details
13 January 2022
Renewables company takes over fracking firm to rescue stranded assets. Details
30 September 2020
Third Energy seeks geothermal heat from old Ryedale gas wells. Details
9 July 2020
North Yorkshire County Council votes to extend life of Ryedale gas fields to 2035, including Kirby Misperton. Details
9 June 2020
Government clears the way to extend the life of Kirby Misperton well site and other Ryedale suspended gas fields. Details
28 August 2019
Ryedale Tories make “historic” break with government in call for local fracking moratorium. Details
25 April 2019
Third Energy announces it will apply to extend the duration of planning permission at the KMA wellsite. Details
Third Energy announces it has sold its onshore gas business, including the KM8 well, to York Energy (UK) Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of the American firm, Alpha Energy. Details
10 April 2019
Villagers mark one year anniversary of Third Energy removing fracking equipment from Kirby Misperton. Details
20 November 2018
Air quality report published which shows pollution levels in Kirby Misperton changed from rural to urban as Third Energy prepared to frack. Details
26 October 2018
Third Energy accounts reveal “financial melt down”, say campaigners. Details
18 September 2018
“City heavyweights” resign from Third Energy because no fracking at KM8. Details
30 July 2018
Third Energy discusses new North Yorkshire fracking well with police but the community. Details
24 May 2018
Third Energy warned over two more permit breaches at fracking site. Details
1 April 2018
Drone pictures show the site has been almost cleared. Details
7 March 2018
Third Energy says fracking at Kirby Misperton could be delayed until the autumn. Details
2 March 2018
Kirby Misperton anti-fracking camp to close after Third Energy begins to withdraw equipment. Details
6 February 2018
Third Energy confirms it is releasing equipment from fracking site because of delays over final consent. Details
2 February 2018
Third Energy releases its long-awaited 2016 accounts, declaring a loss of more than £3.4m. Details
25 January 2018
Government announces it is delaying decision on Kirby Misperton fracking consent until the company has filed accounts and a financial resilience assessment is completed. Details
24 January 2018
John Dewar resigns as director of Third Energy. Details
19 January 2018
Injunction threat to Third Energy’s fracking plans over gas and pipeline fears. Details
15 December 2017
North Yorkshire Police release November policing costs at Kirby Misperton – down 36% on October to £148,000. Arrests also down to 8 in November. Details
4-6 December 2017
Ministers questioned over Third Energy fracking plans. Details
29 November 2017
Decision on Third Energy’s fracking plans delayed by legal loophole over ministerial approval. Details
November 2017
North Yorkshire County Council and Third Energy sign Section 106 agreement requiring a deposit of £160,000 for restoration and after care at Kirby Misperton. Details
30 October 2017
Protesters block road with wooden towers to prevent access to Kirby Misperton site. Details
22 October 2017
Two remaining campaigners brought down from rig. Details
21 October 2017
Three campaigners occupy rig at Third Energy’s Kirby Misperton site. One leaves at about 3.45pm. Details
20 October 2017
Environment Agency records two breaches of environmental permits against Third Energy relating to a smell from the Kirby Misperton site. Details
17 October 2017
Complaints about strong smell from Kirby Misperton site. Details
13 October 2017
Villagers to be surveyed on Kirby Misperton fracking fund. Details
10 October 2017
Environment Agency approves Third Energy’s fracking plan for Kirby Misperton. Details
28 September 2017
First lorry surfing protest blocks access to Kirby Misperton. Details
25 September 2017
First lock-on at Kirby Misperton. Details
13 September 2017
Candlelit vigil in Kirby Misperton as village prepares for deliveries to fracking site. Details
31 August 2017
Protest outside Third Energy fracking information event. DrillOrDrop report
3 July 2017
Third Energy submits hydraulic fracturing plan to the Oil & Gas Authority for KM8. Details
23 March 2017
Third Energy investigates release from Kirby Misperton gas site after residents complaint about “sickening” smell. Details
20 December 2016
Mrs Justice Lang, at the Royal Courts of Justice, upholds Third Energy’s planning permission and dismissed the case in a judicial review by Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Ryedale. Details
Protection camp established in a field on the proposed lorry route to the KM8 well site. Details
6 December 2016
Companies House warns Third Energy it has until 6 February 2017 to file its accounts or face being struck off the companies’ register and being dissolved. Details
23 November 2016
Second day of judicial review hearing by Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Ryedale against north Yorkshire County Council. Third Energy’s case and judgement reserved
22 November 2016
First day of judicial review hearing by Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Ryedale against north Yorkshire County Council. Claimant’s case and council case
30 September 2016
Third Energy accounts for year to 31 December 2015 due but not filed.
7 July 2016
Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Ryedale announce legal challenge to council approval of planning permission. Details
23 May 2016
Planning and Regulatory Affairs Committee approves Third Energy application for fracking the KM8 well at Kirby Misperton. Live updates and breaking news
20 May 2016
Day 1 of decision meeting of Planning and Regulatory Affairs Committee of North Yorkshire County Council. Live updates
17 May 2016
Site visit for North Yorkshire County Councillors
12 May 2016
North Yorkshire planners recommend approval of Third Energy fracking planning application. Details
11 April 2016
Environment Agency grants environmental permit for fracking for shale gas at KM8 well. Details
15 March 2016
Ryedale District Council votes against KM8 fracking plans. Details
24 February 2016
4th public consultation begins
10 February 2016
Closing date of third consultation
20 January 2016
Third 21-day public consultation begins
25 November 2015
Closing date of second consultation period
19 November 2015
NYCC asks for more information from Third Energy and an extension in the time to consider the application, suggesting 9th February as the new decision date
10 November 2015
Ryedale District Council’s planning committee votes to defer its decision on the application
5 November 2015
Second public consultation begins
4 November 2015
Meeting between Third Energy and NYCC planning authority
20 October 2015
NYCC’s planning committee decides to attend a site visit and training
11 October 2015
In an 11-page letter NYCC invokes Section 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2011 to ask Third Energy for more information on the application
28 August 2015
Further information supplied by Third Energy
19 August 2015
Public consultation begins
29 July 2015
New planning application received and validated
17th July 2015
NYCC tells Third Energy the application cannot be validated
2 July 2015
Third Energy delivers second application to NYCC
9 June 2015
NYCC tells Third Energy the application is incomplete and cannot be validated.
22 May 2015
Third Energy submits application to North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) to frack, test and possibly produce gas from its KM8 well at Kirby Misperton
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