PLANS to drill for oil in East Yorkshire could result in a contamination of the water supply to Market Weighton, the town’s mayor has said.

Coun Peter Hemmerman has expressed concerns regarding plans to set up to two exploratory rigs between Walkington and Bishop Burton, which are recommended for approval by East Riding Council planning committee tomorrow.

He has argued that fears about water pollution should prevent councillors approving plans for oil drilling.

Dozens of letters of objection have been received with people in Walkington particularly concerned about the pollution risks of drilling down through the chalk aquifer.

Mr Hemmerman wrote to East Riding Council, saying: “None of the towns and villages that could be affected appear to have been consulted and the expert opinion I have been given seems to suggest a real risk of contamination of our water supplies by chemicals of a carcinogenic nature.

“I would appreciate some consultation with yourselves and parties involved before any action is taken on this application so we can form our own opinions and act in the best interests of our residents.

“To process this application without any reference to the population involved is unacceptable in view of the possible consequences.”

The application by Canadian-owned Rathlin Energy (UK) Ltd to drill down up to 2,500 metres was stalled after protests in November.

Now, with the company volunteering to adhere to environmental conditions addressing fears first raised by the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water, it seems likely to go ahead.

A spokesman for Rathlin Energy (UK), said: “We have consulted the relevant statutory consultees about our plans and we have had meetings with nearby local communities. East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the water and environmental authorities have been consulted and the planning officers have recommended our plans be approved."

"This is a clear indication, in their professional opinion, that we have done everything we need to do, and more, from a social, environmental and health and safety perspective. Our drilling management company, Bridlington-based Moorhouse Drilling and Completions, are renowned worldwide for their work in this area. Assurances have been given about protection to the aquifer and we have explained this in detail over recent weeks and months.”

To view the application and have your say, visit eastriding.gov.uk/newpublicaccess and enter the reference number 11/04441/STPLF.