THE government must end a “loophole” in Britain’s de facto fracking ban, campaigners urged today as North Yorkshire Council considers planning permission for a new development.

The local authority is expected to decide on an application for a project in Burniston involving “proppant squeeze” – a smaller-scale type of fracking not covered by the current moratorium.

Friends of the Earth (FoE) warned other communities could face similar developments unless the government takes action.

The government ended its support for fracking in 2019 after a report found it was not possible to accurately predict tremors.

However, proppant squeeze is still allowed because it uses lower volumes of fluid and sand.

In a report written for FoE, University of Edinburgh’s Stuart Haszeldine outlined evidence that low-volume fracking at Preese Hall and Preston New Road, Lancashire, in 2019 triggered earthquakes felt by nearby residents.

He wrote that earthquakes from both large and small-volume fracking are “equally large and equally unpredictable.”

FoE climate campaigner Tony Bosworth said: “The government has rightly committed to banning fracking.

“It has triggered earthquakes, blights our countryside, won’t cut UK energy bills, is deeply unpopular with communities and fuels the climate crisis.

“Ministers must reassure communities by banning all forms of fracking – failure to act will undermine Labour’s credibility.”

Mr Bosworth said planning authorities should also hold off on deciding fracking applications until the government’s position becomes clear.

Professor Haszeldine said: “Developers are probing to find exemptions from current rules.

“The rules need to be more tightly written to safeguard residents against poorly understood effects, not simply hoping that developers get good outcomes.”

North Yorkshire Council will consider the application on April 24.

A government spokesperson said it will “ban fracking for good.”