FRACKING in Ryedale should not go ahead for five years, a council recommended last night.

Ryedale District Council (RDC) passed a five-year moratorium on the controversial shale gas extraction method by 13 votes to seven, with eight abstentions.

The decision must now be taken into account by RDC's planning committee when making its recommendation on Third Energy's bid to conduct test fracking at Kirby Misperton.

Supporters of the moratorium hope it will now hold sway when the Third Energy application is decided upon by North Yorkshire County Council, which is the Minerals Planning Authority.

Last night's vote came during a packed and often heated meeting at Ryedale House.

Cllr John Clark, who proposed the moratorium, said: "This issue is massive.

"It's not only massive in terms of Ryedale, Kirby Misperton, Yorkshire and the UK, it could be massive in terms of the planet as well.

"On that basis, to have not had a policy in place for the last three years really is a dereliction of duty.

"We need this for the people now. We need this for our children and their grandchildren."

Cllr Tim Thornton said: "I don't know what it is about fracking that we are so allergic to on this council.

"There are still significant risks to health and the science is still unfolding and confirming that view."

Cllr Di Keal urged fellow members to "stop sitting on the fence".

Speaking during public question time, Lorraine Allanson, of the Friends of Ryedale Gas Exploration (FORGE), stressed "only non-hazardous chemicals could be used" in the process.

She said: "Politics should not come in the way of Ryedale's future.

"Ryedale council should be leading the way by listening to the facts and not just the stories.

"All I ask is that councillors look at what experts write rather than just looking at internet experts."

Cllr James Bailey argued that the moratorium would carry "little weight", while cllr Luke Ives said it was "confusing the situation".

Cllr Clark concluded by saying: "We have got to take the safe route. It is up to those in favour of fracking to prove that it is safe."

Speaking afterwards, Monica Gripaios, from Frack Free Ryedale, said: "This is a clear signal to the NYCC and the government that people in Ryedale do not want the traffic, noise, pollution and creeping industrialisation that fracking would bring to this quiet rural area, which relies heavily on tourism and agriculture for its prosperity.

"Fracking has never been more unpopular nationally and locally, and we urge everyone who opposes fracking to join the RDC in objecting to the planning application at Kirby Misperton."

A spokesman for Third Energy said: “There are no grounds for the Ryedale District Council vote.

"Responsible and internationally respected bodies and experts including Public Health England, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, have all concluded that the risks of fracking can be managed in a well regulated environment, which we have in the UK.

"Gas has been produced safely and securely, in Ryedale for over two decades.

"We trust that North Yorkshire County Council, which is the responsible planning authority, will consider all the facts before it makes its decision on our application at Kirby Misperton.

"We will continue engaging with the local communities to inform of the plans, and how any potential risks are managed to ensure minimum impact to the public and the environment.”