Gas company Third Energy is seeking planning permission to frack a shale gas well it has drilled at Kirby Misperton in Ryedale, North Yorkshire.

If the company gets the go-ahead, gas from the site could be powering homes in Yorkshire before the end of this year, Rasik Valand, its chief executive, told the Telegraph.

After months of consultation, North Yorkshire County Council’s planning officer is this week expected to issue her recommendation on whether councillors should approve or reject the plans.

A recommendation of approval would take Britain to the verge of finally kicking off a shale gas industry that has been plagued by setbacks and delays despite the enthusiastic support of Government.

However, councillors could yet defy the officer’s recommendation on the application, which has proved highly contentious.

Ryedale district council has already lodged an objection to the plan, claiming it would mean “unacceptable development within a rural location” – despite the promise of £100,000 in benefits to the community if the well is fracked.

Third Energy says the fracking work would be quieter and involve fewer lorries going to and from the site than when it drilled the well in 2013.

Mr Valand said: “The 2013 operation was much bigger and brought more traffic but there were no issues raised. What we are doing is far less intrusive.

“We have been drilling for 20 years in the area, we have done it all safely without any environmental risk or concerns, so we hope it will be [approved]. …

…. No fracking has taken place in the UK since 2011 when another company, Cuadrilla, caused two earth tremors while attempting to explore for shale gas near Blackpool, leading to a temporary ban on the practice. …”