Liberal Democrats across North Yorkshire have vowed to make fracking a major issue at next years County Council elections if councillors pass the controversial application to allow it to take place in rural Ryedale.

Thirsk and Malton Liberal Democrats

PRESS RELEASE

21^st May 2016

Liberal Democrats across North Yorkshire have vowed to make fracking a major issue at next years County Council elections if councillors pass the controversial application to allow it to take place in rural Ryedale.

Thirsk and Malton Liberal Democrat spokesperson, Di Keal said:

"North Yorkshire county council planning members will make what is likely to be the most important decision this decade on Monday - whether to allow Third Energy to carry out hydraulic fracturing at Kirby Misperton, near Malton.

"We are very concerned that the Tory dominated committee is being dictated to by a government that is trying to force fracking onto communities at the expense of local democracy.

"If councillors ignore the massive groundswell of public opposition to this hugely invasive industry coming to North Yorkshire they will find themselves challenged by anti- fracking Liberal Democrat councillors at the county elections in May 2017".

Kamran Hussain, Liberal Democrat Policy Chair in Yorkshire & the Humber said:

"At the Liberal Democrat Conference in York in March the party voted to oppose fracking due to its potential impacts on the environment and public health and well-being.

"As a grassroots party we pride ourselves on always listening to the opinions of local people and the message that has come out loud and clear in North Yorkshire, and across the rest of the country, is that the public do not want to see fracking in the UK.

"The strength of feeling at the rally in Northallerton on Friday and the impassioned speakers against the application in the council chamber, has sent a clear message to the North Yorkshire County Council planning committee. If they ignore this and approve the application, they need to know that their decision will not be forgotten by the electorate.

"Liberal Democrats will do all they can to prevent the fracking industry being given free rein in Yorkshire and the Humber".

Notes to editors:

For further information contact:

Di Keal on 07593682402

Steve Mason on 07793821242

Kamran Hussain on

• The application by Third Energy to carry out hydraulic fracturing at KM8, Kirby Misperton, near Malton will be determined by North Yorkshire County Council on Monday 23^rd at County Hall, Northallerton

• The committee heard evidence all day on Friday 20^th from over xxxx people opposed to the application

• The County Council received almost 4,000 letters of opposition to the application and only 32 in support