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 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.
