Plans to drill for oil and gas at a site in East Yorkshire have been thrown out by Councillors today

It would have seen 6 wells at West Newton

Author: Julie CastonPublished 30th Sep 2021

Campaigners are celebrating after plans to drill for oil and gas in East Yorkshire were today turned down.

Rathlin energy’s proposals to expand a site at West Newton sparked more than 1,000 objections.

Today East Riding councillors discussed the matter and sided with protestors by rejecting the application.

However the application was today rejected after concerns were raised by objectors such as the number of HGVs on local roads and the impact on the environment.

Samantha Hallett from West Newton is delighted:

"Trembling, shaking ecstatic, feelings all over the place - it's just amazing. It was so tense in there watching it, we've been in there like three hours - a long time. The Councillors saw sense and turned it down"

Campaigner Andy Walker says they had a strong argument and the meeting recognised that:

"This was one we needed to win, and we did. The value of the speakers, the value of the fossil free East Yorkshire reports - everybody got them and they blew the application report. There was suddenly every reason to refuse it and they found a way and committed to to refuse it"

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