East Yorkshire test drilling plans consultation starts

A protest camp next to a drilling site in Walkington was dismantled by bailiffs in January

A public consultation has started into plans by a Canadian firm to drill an exploratory borehole for oil and gas at a third site in East Yorkshire.

Rathlin Energy has applied for an environmental permit to explore the West Newton site, known as B.

The Environment Agency confirmed the permit application was not for fracking.

The firm started its drilling and testing operations at West Newton A and Crawberry Hill, Walkington, in 2013.

But it decided to abandon the Crawberry Hill site on "technical and commercial grounds" in August.

Campaigners have previously expressed concerns about the impact on the environment.

If granted, the permit would allow Rathlin to drill a well, burn any gas produced during the drilling or testing of the well and to release surface water from the site.

The agency said it was seeking views from people in the area "before we decide whether to issue permits".

"As a regulator of onshore oil and gas exploration and development in England, the Environment Agency's role is to ensure that such activities are carried out in a way that does not harm people or the environment," a spokesperson said.

The public consultation runs until the end of October.

Planning permission to explore West Newton B was approved by East Riding of Yorkshire Council in June.

Several arrests have been made since May last year, when protestors set up camp at the two sites.

They were later removed by bailiffs in January.