Fracking approved by North Yorkshire County Council

Published 24th May 2016

Councillors in North Yorkshire have voted to approve permission for fracking - for the first time in the UK for five years.

Thousands of people protested against the move - and Greenpeace says there was "an air of inevitability about this very disappointing decision."

Third Energy could be extracting shale gas at its site in Ryedale by the end of the year.

Fracking is when liquid is pumped deep underground at high pressure to fracture rock and release gas - can cause problems including water contamination, earthquakes and noise and traffic pollution.

Third Engery says it has said it has taken every possible step'' to ensure the plan will not impact on the environment.