Green Party leader visits Ryedale fracking site

Jonathan Bartley spoke to people gathered at the gates of Third Energy’s well site outside Kirby Misperton this morning.

“I’ve really come to support the local community," he said.

"I was in Preston yesterday and in Manchester supporting campaigners at the Conservative Party conference.

“Here today, it’s clear there’s a real momentum growing against fracking.

"You have to look at the people here; local farmers and people who don’t want this happening. They’re worried about their future and worried about keeping their fossil fuels in the ground with climate change.”

He described the site as the “front line of the fight against fracking”, adding: “Whether these other licences that have been issued for fracking come to fruition will depend very much on what happens at Kirby Misperton and Preston.”

His visit coincided with the Scottish Government announcing a ban on fracking.

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse confirmed the government will outlaw the controversial gas extraction technique in Scotland.

A moratorium on the practice has been in place since January 2015 and the government's decision follows extensive consultation and consideration of reports on its potential impact.

Mr Wheelhouse said: "Fracking cannot, and will not take place in Scotland."

He said it was the responsibility of the government to make decisions in the best interests of Scotland as a whole.

The minister added: "I can confirm the conclusion of the Scottish Government is that we will not support the development of unconventional oil and gas in Scotland."

A spokesperson for Third Energy said it was important domestic gas resources were developed, saying: “Whilst energy from renewable sources is undoubtedly growing, gas will continue to play an important role in our lives: gas produces 42 per cent of the country’s electricity, 84 per cent of our homes are heated by gas, 61 per cent of cooking hobs are fuelled by gas and gas is the major feedstock for many of our industries.

"Today 50 per cent of our gas comes from outside the UK – a significant turnaround from 17 years ago when we were an exporter.

"This is set to rise to 80 per cent in the next 17 years and has massive implications both economically and environmentally. This is why we need to develop new domestic gas resources.

"Although Jonathan Bartley has not contacted us, we invite him to visit us at the Knapton Generating Station (KGS), where we have been supplying electricity to North Yorkshire since 1995 using gas produced in the Vale of Pickering.  Here, rather than by standing outside the gates to our well site, he could learn about our actual operations, undertaken for more than twenty years with no adverse impact on communities or the environment."

One of those at the site protesting against fracking was 82-year-old military veteran Roger Bruton, a member of the Royal Legion in Pocklington, who served with the Royal Artillery and the Home Service.  

Tuesday’s protest on Habton Road was also attended by Farmers Against Fracking, who set up a harvest festival table where donations of locally grown food were left.

Farmer Matthew Trevelyan, who owns a sheep farm on the North York Moors in Ryedale, said; “This “Frack Free” Harvest Festival is a traditional harvest festival, like any other.

“The only difference being the inclusion of a prayer that Shale Gas remains in the ground, and the community not sacrificed for profit.

“Add to that the location – outside the gate of the proposed fracking site near Kirkby Misperton, and we hope for a special evening of prayerful, protest.

“Throughout the day local farmers and gardeners have donated produce which has been made into a vibrant display, reminding us that this is an agricultural area, not an industrial one.”

Also at the protest site on Habton Road were Farmers Against Fracking, who set up a harvest festival table where donations of locally grown food were left.

There will be a harvest festival service and supper at 6.30pm tonight at the protest site.