The Esk Valley

As part of the Government's policy to get broadband to the hard to reach communities of England by the end of 2015, a steering group has been set up to achieve this in the Esk Valley and Mulgrave areas. If you are having difficulty getting broadband or have a poor service (Less than 2 Mbps) then please contact Liz Dowson, Regeneration & Planning Services, Scarborough Borough Council, 01723 860753.

Egdon Resources ("Egdon"), the AIM-listed oil and gas exploration and production company, is to seek planning permission for an exploratory borehole near the village of Westerdale in the North York Moors National Park. The North York Moors National Park Authority will also be asked to approve the building of an access road to the site, on land south of Broad Gate Farm. If permission is granted, this will be the second exploratory borehole that Egdon will have drilled in the area. The first, in 2006, did not find commercial quantities of gas and the site has since been completely restored to farmland. Mark Abbott, Egdon's Managing Director, said the company planned to hold a public exhibition in Westerdale Village Hall on March 16 in order to give local residents the chance to view the plans and discuss them with the Egdon team.
"We definitely want to get feedback from residents and other stakeholders before we submit the planning application," he explained.
The company expects the exploratory drilling operation to last for no more than six weeks, after which the rig and associated equipment will be dismantled. Only the concrete base will remain while the results of the drilling are analysed. If commercially-viable quantities of gas are found, new planning permission will have to be sought before it can be exploited.
For further information, please contact Simon Mountford on 07836 279685 (email:simon@simon-mountford.co.uk)

RURAL VOICE offers free support and advice to voluntary and community groups based in, or providing services in, the rural areas around Whitby and Scarborough. Advice or information can be provided on issues such as fundraising, recruiting volunteers, legal requirements, training etc. To discuss your needs or for a free ‘organisation health check’ contact Pam on 07823322808 or email ruralvoice@seachange-community.org