CAMPAIGNERS have expressed their disappointment after the firm behind plans to frack in Ryedale was given approval to extend permissions on its existing conventional gas wells.

North Yorkshire county councillors approved Third Energy’s proposals to continue the gas extraction operations until 2035 at numerous well sites, including ones at Kirby Misperton, Great Habton, Marishes and Pickering, and a pipeline linking the wells to the existing operational Knapton gas-fired electricity generating station.

Third Energy was planning to carry out fracking at its Kirby Misperton site in 2017 but, following large protests and calls for a financial resilience review by the Government, eventually withdrew the bulk of its fracking equipment. Since then the site has lain dormant, though the planning consent to frack is valid until 2026.

The firm’s operations director Shaun Zablocki told councillors it was now examining a change in direction.

Mr Zablocki said Third Energy was looking at a combined heat and power project with local businesses, geothermal schemes, cleaner electricity generation and carbon capture projects, as well as how its electricity generating could be used to contribute to the government’s 2050 net zero carbon aspiration.

He said: “The company recognises the world’s energy systems need to change and is ready and willing to play a positive role in that change.”

Ryedale resident Steve Mason, from Frack Free United, said: “This is disappointing for Ryedale and the UK as a whole. Approval for another 17 years of extraction is a clear signal to the companies that its ‘business as usual’.”

Steve added: “In 17 years time I would have hoped that we had kicked fossil fuels out of Ryedale.

“We now have the uncertainty of more applications hanging over our heads, a potential situation of stranded assets with the costs of decommissioning of the sites landing on the tax payer or landowner.

“However, my real disappointment is that the county council have enabled fossil fuels to be dug out of the ground, contributing to the climate emergency that is engulfing the planet.”