THE public consultation on gas company Third Energy’s application for a permit to carry out fracking in North Yorkshire has been extended.

The Environment Agency’s consultation on the company’s proposals will now be open for public submissions until Friday, August 7. 

The consultation opened on June 10 after Third Energy UK Gas Ltd applied to the Environment Agency for the relevant environmental permits to exploit shale gas from a site near Kirby Misperton.

Environmental permit consultations usually run for four weeks but the Environment Agency has decided to extend the consultation period to allow people more time to read the company’s proposals and submit their comments, in response to a request for an extension.

The consultation allows local people to raise any local environmental concerns that they want to be taken into consideration in the permitting process. All comments submitted into the consultation will be taken into account when a decision is made on whether a permit should be issued.

The application documents can be accessed via the Environment Agency website and people can comment on the proposals by emailing PSCpublicresponse@environment-agency.gov.uk or by writing to P&SC – Land Team, Quadrant 2, 99 Parkway Avenue, Sheffield, S9 4WF.