NORTH Yorkshire County Council has signed off planning conditions allowing lorries to begin moving equipment on to the Kirby Misperton fracking site.

The council has signed off on conditions which relate to traffic management and the finance provided by Third Energy or any subsequent owner of the well site – known as KM8 – to deliver aftercare.

It means lorries will be able to begin moving equipment on to the fracking site and preparation work, such as constructing sound barriers around the well site.

Third Energy said that once the Environment Agency and the Oil and Gas Authority have approved its plan for shale gas extraction – and the Secretary of State has given subsequent approval – fracking will begin.

A spokesperson for the company said the consultation response from the county council's highways department stated “there are no local highway authority objections to the proposed development”.

At 8pm this morning anti-fracking campaigners say they will gather at the gates of KM8 as part of the Keep Yorkshire Frack Free campaign.

They will mount a vigil involving music, prayer and a short ceremony.

Campaigners are currently maintaining a 24-hour presence at the gates of the KM8 well site and say they will welcome all visitors.