COUNCILLORS have backed plans for gas extraction and a 14 kilometre pipeline through the North Yorkshire countryside - but national park bosses have still to give their approval.

Over 150 objections were made to the plan amid concerns it will open the door to fracking.

Objectors fear the scheme sets a precedent, and say the risks are too high and that it will lead to water contamination, earthquakes and pollution.

But planning officers for North Yorkshire County Council recommended the application be approved after developers emphasised the scheme was nothing to do with fracking.

Members of the planning committee approved the plans by Third Energy and Moorland Energy which combines and alters existing approvals given after a public inquiry.

The company want to extract natural gas from an existing test borehole at Ebbertston Moor South, near Malton, building a second borehole for water and reinjection.

A 13.9 kilometre underground pipeline will also be built, crossing the A170 and going under the River Derwent taking the gas to an existing power station at Knapton.

Fifty people would be employed during construction, and three when the site is operational, it would also guarantee 26 jobs at the power station.

Liberal councillor John Savage asked the committee to defer the application after the North Yorks Moors National Park authority deferred it for further information but members agreed it should be approved.

However, permission is also needed from the national park because part of the pipeline runs through its land.