THE High Court ruling on whether the county council's approval of fracking was lawful or not will be made early next week.

The judicial review, due to take place on November 22 and 23, could clear the way for the first test fracks at Kirby Misperton, if the challenge by Frack-Free Ryedale and Friends of the Earth fails.

North Yorkshire County Council planning committee approved the plans by gas company Third Energy to undertake test fracks at a meeting in May - in line with the planning officers' recommendation.

But soon after, the Frack-Free members David Davis and Jackie Cray, alongside Friends of the Earth, decided to challenge the ruling in the High Court in London on the grounds that the application did not properly consider climate change implications, and on "the lack of a security bond".

Future fracking applications in the area may be affected by a new plan being jointly drawn up by the North York Moors National Park, city of York and North Yorkshire authorities.

The so-called Joint Minerals and Waste Plan will set out where, when and how minerals and waste development may be expected to take place in the areas, between now and 2030.

The purpose of the plan is to set out the policies for each of the planning authorities to use when dealing with applications for minerals and waste development, such as new or extended quarries, new waste management facilities such as recycling and treatment centres - and shale gas explorations.

A six-week consultation on the Joint Minerals and Waste Plan for the area is ongoing and will end at 5pm on Wednesday, December 21.

Paper copies of the joint plan, response form and guidance notes are available to view during normal opening hours at all libraries in North Yorkshire, including mobile libraries and at all main offices of the three Authorities, as well as at District and Borough Council main offices and the National Park Centres.

To find out more about the plan visit northyorks.gov.uk/mwconsult.