AN MP has raised concerns after it was announced that fracking could take place on the edge of a national park in North Yorkshire before the end of the year.

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk, Malton and Filey, spoke out about his fears for the proposed scheme at Kirby Misperton, near family-friendly theme park Flamingo Land, and close to the North York Moors National Park, at a meeting with applicants Third Energy.

Mr Hollinrake requested the meeting at his constituency office in Old Malton, Ryedale, following the submission of the application.

He said: “I have always said, that any proposal to hydraulically fracture for shale gas must be shown to be safe and discreet.

“Should North Yorkshire County Council approve the application, I will work to ensure that there is no significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of people in this area, where I, and my family, have lived all our lives.

“We need to make sure that the regulations are strong, and are monitored independently.”

In the meeting it was agreed that Third Energy would allow the Environment Agency to supervise an independent contractor responsible for the monitoring of air and water quality throughout the whole process.

The scheme would also become the first site in North Yorkshire and the North East to conduct fracking, which involves a high-pressure water mixture being directed at the rock to release the gas inside.

The firm has asked North Yorkshire County Council to approve its scheme to hydraulically stimulate and test various geological formations, and although it is not likely to be considered for several months, it had already drilled a well for the scheme near Flamingo Land.