Here in the UK we are told that “gold standard” regulations would apply to the fracking industry to protect the safety of the public.

The industry has complained about this so the Government has done something worthy of Alice in Wonderland. Fracking will henceforward no longer be known as fracking, allowing a bonfire of the onerous regulations.

Basically, if less than a certain amount of injecting water is used, the well will no longer be defined as a frack site. If this law had been in force in the US then 42 per cent of wells would not be a frack site. The loophole has been created to allow companies to have no responsibility for pollution they create, and now, after the NYCC decision to allow fracking, they will take advantage.

Chris Clayton, Hempland Drive, York

I am writing to express my disappointment and great sadness at the decision to hydraulically frack in beautiful, tranquil North Yorkshire.

The decision, made primarily by Conservative members of the North Yorkshire Planning Committee, appeared to me to have more than a hint of pre-determination about it. There was no debate, none of the councillors are from Ryedale, where the fracking is to take place, and there is certainly no social licence from Ryedale residents to use our roads, land, water supply and air to the extent that Third Energy require these resources. I believe that central government has dictated their instructions and those who voted in favour complied. What a charade!

Susannah Turton (Mrs), Burgate, Pickering, North Yorkshire

CONGRATULATIONS to the courageous councillors at NYCC for approving the application to explore for gas in their own backyard.

No more what ifs, at last common sense has prevailed.

The “No To Fracking” campaigners are comparable to the “Remain in Europe” supporters. Both offer only scare stories, doomsday scenarios, none of their respective arguments supported by hard evidence.

Drilling has been taking place in North Yorkshire for years without any profound effect on people, the economy or tourism. It’s only when the word “fracking” comes into play that all the supposed know-alls and do-gooders come to the fore seeking to enhance their own bloated egos. Give the trial a fair chance, time only will tell who’s in the right. If it proves successful then the whole population will benefit, and the first people to welcome lower energy prices will be those currently making the loudest noise.

Peter Rickaby, West Park, Selby