A FIRM behind a controversial fracking scheme is set to win approval to drill for natural gas in a national park, despite hundreds of objections.

Third Energy and Moorland Energy's proposals for gas production and water re-injection at an existing borehole at Ebberston Moor, the drilling of a second borehole and a 13.9km underground pipeline from the site to Knapton Generating Station have been recommended for approval by North York Moors National Park Authority officers.

Crowds of campaigners, who say the project flies in the face of reasons the national park was created, are expected to attend the authority's planning committee tomorrow (Thursday, May 14), when it meets to decide whether to give the scheme the go-ahead.

Third Energy, which is running a series of public consultation events in connection with a future planning application to frack at nearby Kirby Misperton, has stated the gas drilling site had to be within the national park due to directional drilling constraints for natural gas.

It added that the scheme, which would see up to 15 million standard cubic feet a day of natural gas extracted, would help towards increase much-needed domestically-produced energy.

Parish councils at Allerston and Wilton, and Ebberston and Yedingham have not objected to the scheme, saying it would provide a better option than a previous plan for a gas plant at Thornton le Dale.

The parish councils and the Environment Agency have raised concerns the proposals could lead to the contamination of drinking water aquifer.

Objectors said the plan was contrary to the overriding principles of the national park, that the gas reserve was not of national significance and the firms had not demonstrated the exceptional circumstances needed for a large-scale development.

They have also argued that listed buildings, such as churches, a castle and monastic structures, could be harmed by the scheme as there are up to 20 metres of peat and organic muds under the topsoil in the area.

Officers' report to the committee stated the firms had "reasonably demonstrated that there are not significant risks from the project to water pollution or land stability".

It states: "Given the lack of environmental harm and the benefits to the nation of an improvement to the nation's bridge to a mixed energy supply and environmental compensation measures offered, exceptional circumstances apply to justify this form of major development in a national park."

The officers said the scheme should only be given permission subject to an extensive list of conditions, including that the area would be restored following the operations ceasing in 20 years.

The report added: "For the avoidance of doubt, it does not permit drilling down to the Bowland-Hodder Shale Horizons or hydraulic fracturing of any part of the gas reserve resource."