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Yesterday, the Government refused to close the door on lower-volume hydraulic fracturing, known as “proppant squeeze”. The Government says this is different from the high-volume hydraulic fracturing covered by the current moratorium. But here’s the crucial point: Proppant squeeze still involves injecting fluid at high pressure to fracture rock. The difference is primarily the volume of fluid used. Because it falls below the legal threshold, it is not covered by the current mo

The Drawing a Line in the Chalk steering group has submitted a consolidated response, one that pulls together all their previously submitted KEY objections into one document. You can see this by clicking on the link to the planning portal below. Please feel free to take one, or many of the concerns raised to submit a new or different objection. Remember you can submit multiple objections about different concerns, and people from the same household can each submit. Let’s get t

The implications for the proposed gas drilling development in Foxholes are still being worked through. As soon as we are clearer about the potential benefits to DLC's opposition campaign, we will publish an update. In the meantime, please take a look at Ruth Hayhurst's excellent article on this issue: New planning rules published for onshore oil and gas in England – DRILL OR DROP?

Drawing a Line in the Chalk (DLC) has raised a further concern regarding the proposed exploratory gas well at Land North of Butt Lane, Foxholes (NY/2025/0113/FUL). Our concern relates specifically to Yorkshire Water's previous decision not to object to the proposal and whether that position remains defensible in light of new information concerning the geology and groundwater resources of the Yorkshire Wolds. We are asking: Can Yorkshire Water reasonably maintain its "no objec

Dear Prime Minister, We are writing on behalf of residents of Foxholes with Butterwick Parish in North Yorkshire and the community campaign “Drawing a Line in the Chalk” regarding the proposed exploratory gas wellsite at Foxholes, located above the Yorkshire Wolds Principal Chalk Aquifer. While this is a local planning application, we believe it raises issues of wider national importance concerning water security, climate resilience, food production, nature recovery and the f