FRACKING wells will have to be at least 500m from anyone’s home under guidelines being examined by the planning inspector.

The policy is being discussed as part of the so-called ‘examination in public’ of the Minerals and Waste Joint Plan: the document which will guide planning applications for fracking - and other operations - for the next 15 years.

The examination, which has taken place at County Hall in Northallerton, saw planning inspector Elizabeth Ord consider the evidence for the 500m buffer and also for legal protection for parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, scheduled monuments and registered battlefields.

Ms Ord said she was “satisfied” there should be a 500m buffer and there was “justification for treading carefully”.

The restrictions were welcomed by anti-fracking campaigners but denounced by the shale gas industry.

David Davis, from Frack Free Ryedale, said: “It is very encouraging that representations from our community are being taken seriously. The Planning Inspector acknowledged that fracking is a new industry and that there is a need to apply the precautionary approach and ‘tread carefully.’

“There’s still some way to go before the Minerals and Waste Joint Plan is finalised, but Frack Free Ryedale will continue to support the authorities to achieve a robust plan.”

But the UK Onshore Oil and Gas industry group (UKOOG) said in a statement on Friday: “We note the comments made by the planning inspector today and have highlighted a number of concerns which we will be addressing through the process.

“It should be noted that we have safely been operating in North Yorkshire for many decades within local communities and we see that will continue.”

The Minerals and Waste Joint Plan is to be a planning document shared by three authorities - City of York Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the North Yorks Moors National Park Authority.

The authorities welcomed Ms Ord’s comments.

Cllr Andrew Waller of City of York council said: “This is very welcome news. It is important to remember that the inspector has not made a final decision, and any modifications will be subject to further consultation.”

County Councillor Andrew Lee, executive member for planning, said: “We welcome the Planning Inspector’s decision in relation to the 500m zone.

“The measures in the plan extend the protection already provided in national policy. We will now give consideration to the detail of the Planning Inspector’s decision about the zone.

“This plan has been over four years in the making, amended and refined over this period by taking into account responses from extensive consultation.

“Once adopted, it will become the bible for guiding future planning decisions.”