PROPOSALS by a Swiss petrochemicals company to extract shale gas at new sites in North Yorkshire were explained to councillors today (May 11), while protests were staged outside.

Representatives from Ineos held the meeting at the Milton Rooms in Malton with town and parish councillors, saying it wished to explain its view on how shale gas could be extracted safely, while outside protesters carried out a peaceful demonstration against fracking in the county.

This summer Ineos Shale is carrying out seismic surveys to pinpoint prime sites for fracking across North Yorkshire, where it holds licences. It is believed the company intends to concentrate its efforts on fracking in the vale of Pickering. It has been awarded nine licences in North Yorkshire.

Planning applications for core drilling are expected to be submitted at the end of the year.

Gary Haywood chief executive of INEOS Shale, said: “These meetings in Yorkshire were the first step in our consultation programme to deliver an open dialogue with local communities.

“It is important for us to be transparent and offer two-way communication with local people. It was a pleasure to meet with town and parish councillors, who approached the subject with an open mind.

“We look forward to our public exhibitions later in the year as part of our continuing effort to tackle misconceptions around Shale gas extraction.”

The meeting took place days before North Yorkshire County Councillors vote on whether to allow Third Energy to frack at Kirby Misperton near Pickering.

Outside, 50 to 75 anti-fracking protestors from Frack-Free groups in North Yorkshire and elsewhere in the North stood outside with banners and slogans.

Ian Conlan, a Malton resident, said potentially hundreds of well sites could be developed in the licence area covered by Ineos.

He said: “Their plans are a real and present danger to our rural economy, environment, health and way of life.”