Emotions Running High At Fracking Protest

Hundreds of people have protested against fracking in North Yorkshire as the council decides whether to allow the controversial method of gas extraction.

If the application by UK firm Third Energy is approved, drilling could begin at a site near the village of Kirby Misperton in Ryedale this year.

It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) would be the first fracking to take place in the UK since the drilling was found to be the probable cause of minor earthquakes near Blackpool in 2011.

Since then the Government has said it is going "all out for shale" to boost energy security and the economy, insisting the process is now safe.

Karen Garrett has lived close to the proposed site all her life. She (Munich: SOQ.MU - news) was among protestors outside the council meeting and told Sky News emotions were running high.

"We're very devastated really to think that we're having something possibly forced upon us that hundreds of thousands of residents don't actually want," she said.

Fracking, short for hydraulic fracturing, involves pumping water, chemicals and sand into the ground at pressure to release gas.

Opponents argue that as well as potentially causing earthquakes it could lead to water contamination, noise and traffic pollution.

Opening the meeting, Ryedale councillor Lyndsay Burr said it would "devastate" the quiet, rural area, adding that there was a danger the Ryedale district would become known for fracking rather than tourism.

The CEO of Third Energy insists that the drilling would be safe and says all the issues raised by campaigners have been answered.

Rasik Valand told Sky News: "There will be no harm to the wider public or the environment as a result of our operations here if we are allowed to proceed."

Last week planning officers at North Yorkshire County Council recommended permission be granted for Third Energy's application.

A decision is expected on Monday.