THIRSK and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake has welcomed the conclusions of a government report which calls for national fracking guidelines.

Mr Hollinrake, whose constituency covers the Kirby Misperton fracking site, sits on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee which published the report.

It looks into planning guidance for fracking and calls for guidelines to protect the countryside and also raises concerns regarding Government proposals to bring applications under the National Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime.

It says it would contradict the principles of localism and would exacerbate existing mistrust between communities and the shale gas industry.

Mr Hollinrake said “I am delighted that the Committee Chair, Clive Betts, agreed to my proposal to hold an inquiry as I felt it was important that Parliamentarians have a clear understanding of the potential impacts of shale gas exploration.”