AN application for waste water re-injection within the National Park has been deferred for a second time.

The application, submitted jointly by Third Energy and Moorland Energy Limited for natural gas production and water re-injection at an existing borehole at Ebberston Moor South well-site, was deferred in March by the North York Moors National Park Planning Authority (NYMPA).

The application to the NYMPA and North Yorkshire County Council has now been deferred for a second time.

Although it is not an application for fracking, anti-fracking group Frack Free Ryedale said it believes the deferral shows that people still have concerns about the procedure.

Chris Redston, of the group, said: “The fact that this application has been deferred for a second time shows that the committee still has serious concerns about the environmental safety of the re-injection wells. The latest delay also confirms that the National Park committee recognises it has a statutory legal duty to ensure the process is safe.”

The application also includes provision for a second well for potential gas production, water production and disposal which would include a 13.9km steel pipe underground to transport gas produced at Ebberston Moor to Third Energy’s generating station at Knapton.

A spokesman for Third Energy said that the firm will continue to support the planning authority throughout the process of the application.

He said: “We understand that our application for the proposed Ebberston Moor South project was not on the agenda for Thursday’s planning committee meeting as the North York Moors National Park Authority required further time to review and assess the additional technical information Third Energy has provided.

“Naturally we will provide any further clarification they require.”