The approval will see Third Energy hydraulically stimulating and testing various geological formations previously identified during the 2013 KM8 drilling operation.
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The application is the first to be approved in the United Kingdom since 2011, when tests on the Fylde coast, Lancashire, were found to have been a probable cause of minor earthquakes in the area.
The council stressed that it was a “single decision on a single site” and did not set a precedent for any other applications.
Both groups are urging people to support their campaign by signing a Public Declaration, which states that “we remain opposed to fracking in Yorkshire, in Britain, and across the world”.
“If this flows then we will need to assess how it performs for some months before making any conclusions”, said Third Energy Chief Executive Rasik Valand.
It said the planning committee was “satisfied that in this particular application, mitigation of the effects of the development with regard to safeguarding the natural environment, protected species and habitats, the amenity of local residents, the protection of ground and surface water quality and traffic management can be achieved through the discharge of the planning conditions”.
“This will boost the shale gas industry across the North of England”, Francis Egan, CEO of Cuadrilla, said in a statement.
Despite the approval, Valand said the company did not expect to carry out any activities on site in the near future.
‘This has been a very hard decision for the council to make and we know it is a hard decision for the people of this county, ‘ North Yorkshire CC’s chief executive, Richard Flinton. The KM8 well was drilled in 2013 and is located nearby Third Energy’s Knapton Generating Station – the largest station in the United Kingdom to use onshore gas, producing over 30 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of gas to date.
When asked if this was a precedent for further fracking applications to be approved, he said: “We don’t look upon it like that”. We are now looking forward to the safe exploration of shale gas beginning and finding out just how much of this home grown energy supply is available to power our homes and businesses’.
North Yorkshire Police has praised those who took part in protests for the “fracking” planning application decision in Northallerton.
Supporters including landowners, farmers and Third Energy employees also had their say.
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Michael Bradshaw, professor of global energy at Warwick Business School, said: “While Third Energy has got its planning permission, it is clear that it has failed to obtain a social licence from the local community”. “I would also like to thank the Planning Department and Officer for their professionalism and scrutiny”.
