The distance of the proposed site from the nearest homes depends on which document you read.
Europa said in its application the site was variously 350m, 320m and 300m from the nearest home at Waysite Farm. Consultation responses said the distance was 180m-260m.
Homes in Bridge Close were described by Europa as 350m from the site. Consultation responses said they were 320m away.
The site entrance is opposite a garden centre, while the site is 870m from the coastal path, 310m from a well-used cycle path and within the Heritage coast, the responses said.
Burniston Parish Council observed in its objection:
“There are some discrepancies in the measurements between those on the planning statement and the actual distances. … As the proposed site is so close to the roads, pathways and buildings and residences, it is important that the planning authority have accuracy.
Burniston Parish Council added:
“The planned site is too close to residential properties and businesses. To subject our community to the known and unknown risks … can never be justified.”
The North Yorkshire Minerals Plan specifies a separation distance of 500m between homes and sites where fracking is planned (see more on our section on fracturing and proppant squeeze).
One respondent said 100 homes, a footpath and cycle track were within the 500m separation distance.
Other respondents said the proximity of the site to homes contradicted the National Planning Policy Framework and the Scarborough Borough Local Plan.
Cloughton Parish Council and CPRE North and East Yorkshire (CPRENEY) quoted paragraph 191 of the NPPF: “Major development within a Heritage Coast is unlikely to be appropriate unless it is compatible with its special character”
CPRENEY said:
“proposed hydrocarbon extraction site is considered to be a major development which would be completely incongruous with the special character of the Heritage Coast.”
Another respondent said his home was the closest to Europa’s proposal and his garden fence bordered the access track:
“Our home is no more than 200 Yards from the proposed site which will be a 24×7 operation that is floodlit, noisy and intrusive. This home is our home for life and our retirement home, our quality of life will be massively impacted. We spend considerable time in our large garden and often have many friends and family around for barbecues. … I have a large extended family who mostly live locally and I cannot envisage hosting events such as this if I am impacted by the proposed drilling operation.”
The respondent added:
“I did raise some of my objections with a representative from Europa Oil and Gas who promised, in front of witnesses, that he would get someone to address my concerns. When they realised how close I was and that these concerns would be impossible to alleviate, they ceased all communication with me.”
Another respondent, who lives 600m from the site, said:
“We are concerned that the proposed industrial development on this site, so close to dwellings in the village, will inevitably generate noise, light, air, water and other forms of environmental pollution. This is a paramount concern for us, raising our young children in the village. The likelihood that the proposed development will have a real and negative impact upon our amenity.”
Cloughton Parish Council said in its response:
“The proximity of the site to an established residential area renders this proposal to be wholly unacceptable.”
Another respondent said:
“Placing a drilling rig and creating an industrial complex in such close proximity to a rural village is totally unsuitable and unacceptable.”
Another response said:
“Thinking initially of the residents who live in Burniston, the Council has a duty of care to protect them from harm.”
Another said:
“it should be unnecessary to point out that the prospect of an industrial development of this kind adjacent to a residential area, within a short distance of both a national park and an environmentally valuable stretch of coastline and in an area which is heavily dependent on tourism is obviously undesirable in every possible way.”
Another response said
“I cannot see any way that this application meets the set criteria [in the North Yorkshire Minerals Plan]”
Other articles about responses to the consultation
Proppant squeeze/fracturing and induced seismicity
DRILL OR DROP? 