Mass of firms unite to fight area becoming 'UK fracking capital'
FOUNDER MEMBER: The Black Swan Hotel, in Helmsley, which has helped launch a business group to battle fracking proposals
MORE than 180 companies have formed a coalition to campaign against
fracking in a tourism-dependent area they fear will become the national
centre for the controversial gas production method.
The Frack Free Business Group, based in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, includes many firms who rely on the visitor economy for their income, ranging from pubs and art galleries to caravan parks, gift shops and tour companies.
Other businesses that have joined the group include farmers, high street retailers, vets and wine merchants.
The Frack Free Business Group, based in Ryedale, North Yorkshire, includes many firms who rely on the visitor economy for their income, ranging from pubs and art galleries to caravan parks, gift shops and tour companies.
Other businesses that have joined the group include farmers, high street retailers, vets and wine merchants.
The move follows government-commissioned environmental surveys for oil
and gas licences revealing last month that most of the district would
be within a "10km potential zone of impact" of a fracking site should
proposed schemes go ahead.
It also comes after energy firm Third Energy submitted an application to North Yorkshire County Council to frack in the district at Kirby Misperton, in what it said could be the first fracking project to become operational in the UK since the Government banned the gas production method in 2011.
Third Energy says it is confident the scheme would be safe and has highlighted that it would apply to the Environment Agency for mining waste operation, radioactive substances and groundwater activity permits.
While the scheme has generated vociferous opposition from residents in
Ryedale, David Cameron has blamed a "lack of understanding" about the
fracking process for some of the opposition.
Darren Allanson, who co-owns the Patisserie in Malton and helped to set up the group, said the government report had set alarm bells ringing when it highlighted how shale gas could lead to pristine and quiet areas becoming industrialised.
He said rural economy businesses reliant on clean air, land, water and a tranquil environment may suffer losses from this change.
Mr Allanson said: "Once I started looking into fracking, it became apparent to me that Ryedale simply could not accommodate such an industry, given how many businesses rely on the tourism sector.
"Even if we just look at the huge increase in traffic if Ryedale became the centre of the UK fracking industry, how would that affect our road network?"
Fellow founder member Paul O'Hanlon, manager of the Black Swan Hotel, in Helmsley, said firms were also deeply concerned about the effect fracking would have on the countryside, and questioned whether people would still want to visit Ryedale.
It also comes after energy firm Third Energy submitted an application to North Yorkshire County Council to frack in the district at Kirby Misperton, in what it said could be the first fracking project to become operational in the UK since the Government banned the gas production method in 2011.
Third Energy says it is confident the scheme would be safe and has highlighted that it would apply to the Environment Agency for mining waste operation, radioactive substances and groundwater activity permits.
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Darren Allanson, who co-owns the Patisserie in Malton and helped to set up the group, said the government report had set alarm bells ringing when it highlighted how shale gas could lead to pristine and quiet areas becoming industrialised.
He said rural economy businesses reliant on clean air, land, water and a tranquil environment may suffer losses from this change.
Mr Allanson said: "Once I started looking into fracking, it became apparent to me that Ryedale simply could not accommodate such an industry, given how many businesses rely on the tourism sector.
"Even if we just look at the huge increase in traffic if Ryedale became the centre of the UK fracking industry, how would that affect our road network?"
Fellow founder member Paul O'Hanlon, manager of the Black Swan Hotel, in Helmsley, said firms were also deeply concerned about the effect fracking would have on the countryside, and questioned whether people would still want to visit Ryedale.
For details about the group, email frackfreebusiness@gmail.com
The SchisteHappens viewpoint.
Quite simple. Horses and stable doors come to mind? The word has been out now for a long time now, but so few citizens took the time to really appreciate just what the wider implications of fracking were ( cancers, logistical nightmare, landscape desecration, loss of wildlife habitat, yet another fossil fuel at this crucial time and all in the name of lining the pockets of politicians and 'investors' ), earthquakes, falling house values ++++ ). Hardly surprising of course, when the Murdoch Press and not least the BBC to name but two gave the distinct impression that this was not something to concern the average citizen unless of course the happened to reside 'Up north'. Probably too late and one has to wonder how many of these business leaders were amongst the 24% of those eligible to vote who elected this current bunch of mediocrity? Ed.
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