PEOPLE campaigning against a fracking site in Ryedale have launched a compensation fund for a farm caught up in the controversy.

Members of Kirby Misperton Protection Camp are crowd funding for a farm on Great Habton Road, which lies opposite Third Energy’s well site where protests have centred.

They say their protests had centred around the gates to the site, but since the area in front of the gates is now blocked by police vans, they have moved their protests into the road. This can lead to the road being closed and can disrupt the farm’s milk collection.

One of the campaigners, Michelle Easton, a graduate from Cirencester Agricultural University said: “From my time at Cirencester and the work I’ve don’t in sustainable agriculture since, I’m very aware of the pressures faced by all farmers.

“Dairy farming is tough, and that’s without being located next to a fracking site.

“So I was very happy to coordinate this fund when it was discussed at the gates to KM8 the other day.’’

Another protester, Leigh Coghill said: “It’s unfortunate for the farming family that they’re affected. They shouldn’t have to take the brunt of that cost. We want to stand by them and support them.”

The farm in question, Kirby O'Carr Farm, could not be contacted. The donation site can be found at; crowdfunder.co.uk/community-compensation-fund-for-km8-dairy-farm

At 6.45 am yesterday two sets of protesters locked their arms into concrete and metal devices and laid down at both ends of Habton Road in Kirby Misperton.

Officers cut the protesters from the lock-on devices and arrested four people. The road was reopened by 1pm.

Superintendent Alisdair Dey, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Police liaison officers will engage with the protest community, explaining clearly what is acceptable in terms of safety and reasonableness.

“Our responsibility is to balance the rights, needs and wishes of everyone involved, including the right of people to assemble and protest peacefully, balanced against the right of local people to go about their daily lives safely and without disruption.”

Four people appeared in court yesterday in relation to the protests.

Helen Chuntso, 40, of Grove Crescent, Sowerby Bridge, Calderdale, Louise Hammond, 54 and James Mason, 23, both of Kirby Misperton protection camp and Nicola Elson, 45, of Trafalgar Street West, Scarborough, all appeared at York Magistrates Court.

They pleaded not guilty to wilfully obstructing a highway. All four were bailed.