East Riding of Yorkshire Council have granted planning permission for Rathlin Energy to drill for gas. The idea of drilling has had mixed reactions from locals, in a statement released by the council they said; Members of the planning committee today (12 January 2012) considered an application by Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited for construction of a temporary drilling site with associated access to drill an appraisal borehole for the purpose of mineral exploration (petroleum) at land south west of Crawberry Hill Walkington. The application was first reported to the planning committee on 24 November 2011 when members deferred it to enable further detailed consideration of all the technical and scientific aspects of the application. After giving careful consideration to the application, the updated report presented to the committee, and further representations made, members of the planning committee voted to approve the application. The planning committee felt this was a limited, exploratory operation with sound technical and operational arrangements in place and there were satisfactory conditions attached to the planning consent to address all issues and concerns that had been raised. An additional condition would be formally put in place that there would be no “fracking” which the company had in…

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