THE North York Moors National Park Authority’s (NYMPA) decision to defer plans for waste water re-injection within the park’s boundary has been welcomed.

The application, submitted last year by Third Energy and Moorland Energy Limited at an existing borehole at their Ebberston Moor South well-site, is for natural gas production and water re-injection.

Members of Frack Free Ryedale gathered outside the National Park office in Helmsley last Thursday, before the matter was put before the park’s planning committee.

After the meeting, Chris Redston, of Frack Free Ryedale, said the group was relieved that the decision had been deferred. He said: “It was gratifying to see that the committee had done the homework and members were evidently not convinced that this development could be done safely.

“The National Park has been given a lifeline and the people of Scarborough who all get their drinking water from directly under the proposed well, will be heaving a sigh of relief.”

The application to the NYMPA and North Yorkshire County Council also included provision for a second well for potential gas production, water production and disposal, which would include the creation of a 13.9km steel underground pipe. The pipe would transport the gas produced from Ebberston Moor to Third Energy’s Knapton Generating Station.

During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding the risk of water pollution, as well as other environmental concerns.

A spokesman for Third Energy said that the firm would continue to support the authority in its decision and continue to provide it with any information needed.

He said: “We would like to thank the planning committee for considering our application. While we were not expecting a deferral at this stage, especially as our very similar previous application was approved, we will happily help support the authority by providing any additional information they require.”

Third Energy also has plans to submit an application to carry out fracking at its Kirby Misperton site.