East Riding of Yorkshire Council voted in support of a Liberal Democrat motion to oppose fracking in its area.

The Government has lifted the moratorium on the controversial practice of fracking despite objections from local authorities.

Business and energy secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg argued that shale gas production in England was essential for the UK’s energy security in light of the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine.

However, the Conservative-led East Riding of Yorkshire Council argues that it is an ‘unproven’ means of energy production.

Commenting on the council’s decision to oppose the practice, council leader Jonathan Owen said: ‘Whilst appreciating the need to review our national need for energy security in the light of recent events in Russia and Ukraine, I am still of the opinion that Fracking is not the way forward in the East Riding.

‘Not only is it still unproven as a means of production, but original arguments against fracking still hold in my mind and I have heard nothing to change my views.

‘Of particular concern is the effect on the aquifer under the Wolds and the counter effect on our ambitions to have an area of outstanding natural beauty. Investment in other forms of energy production is the longer-term solution.’

Friends of the Earth anti-fracking campaigner, Danny Gross, recently commented: ‘Shale gas extraction causes earthquakes and contributes to climate breakdown and will do almost nothing to reduce energy bills.

‘Fracking is by far the most unpopular and least effective way of generating energy in the UK and has been opposed by communities wherever it has been attempted.

‘Any attempt to water down the rules that help safeguard people from the threat of fracking will only fuel its unpopularity.’