From Mitigation.. to Precaution?

FROM MITIGATION TO PRECAUTION? A question we've been asking ourselves at Drawing a Line in the Chalk.

The proposed Foxholes gas drilling site sits above the Yorkshire Wolds Chalk Aquifer, a Principal Aquifer that supplies drinking water, supports farming and businesses and feeds rare chalk streams such as the Gypsey Race. It is increasingly recognised as a strategically important critical infrastructure natural asset.

Recently Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency and the British Geological Survey invested in major work to better understand and protect this aquifer for future generations. At the same time, East Riding councillors have backed calls for stronger protection and even UNESCO recognition for Yorkshire's rare chalk streams.

So here's the question:

If this aquifer is important enough to map, model, protect and potentially seek international recognition for, should new industrial drilling within it be assessed simply on whether risks can be managed? Or should we be applying a stronger precautionary approach?

The Environment Agency acknowledges that drilling presents a risk to groundwater resources but believes those risks can be managed through monitoring, regulation and conditions.

We respect that position.

But perhaps the more fundamental question is:

Should new risks be introduced into a strategically important chalk aquifer at all?

This isn't just about Foxholes.

It's about how we value water security, climate resilience and rare chalk-stream ecosystems in the 21st century.

As climate change increases pressure on water resources, the value of clean groundwater is only going one way.

What do you think? Should nationally important chalk aquifers be treated primarily through mitigation, or through precaution?

You can see our full objection via the link below:

[https://onlineplanningregister.northyorks.gov.uk/Register/Document/Download?module=PLA&recordNumber=12292&planId=130536&imageId=701&isPlan=False&fileName=26619_Bell%20L_Drawing%20a%20Line%20in%20The%20Chalk_Redacted.pdf](https://onlineplanningregister.northyorks.gov.uk/Register/Document/Download?module=PLA&recordNumber=12292&planId=130536&imageId=701&isPlan=False&fileName=26619_Bell%20L_Drawing%20a%20Line%20in%20The%20Chalk_Redacted.pdf)

Please feel free to use and adapt this if you wish to submit an objection of your own.

Simply email: planning.control@northyorks.gov.uk quoting the planning reference NY/2025/0113/FUL in the subject so that your views may be taken into consideration.

Also, many thanks to Bridlington Town Council recently submitting their objection to Egdon’s application.

Laura Bell - Campaign Lead, Drawing a Line in the Chalk.