Anger at gas plant plans for park edge

The hearing began yesterday to consider the controversial plans for the £50m development on a 22-acre site near the North York Moors National Park.

Developers from the company behind the scheme, Moorland Energy, have maintained that the gas processing plant will prove vital to ensure the nation’s energy needs are met.

However, North Yorkshire County Council, which is the main planning authority, and the North York Moors National Park Authority have both raised grave concerns over the proposals.

The counsel for the county council told the hearing in Helmsley the gas plant would represent an incongruous and unacceptable feature in the open countryside.

The hearing was told that it was a site of noteworthy calmness, tranquillity and beauty.

They heard that visitors and residents to this part of Yorkshire are not drawn by industrial facilities, but by natural beauty.

Government planning inspector Edward Simpson, who is conducting the inquiry, was told that the plant would be used for up to eight years to supply the energy needs of more than 100,000 homes.

Michael Humphries, QC for Moorland Energy, maintained the scheme was being put forward at a time of “very real stress in the UK energy market”.

He added that despite “very genuine concerns” of many residents, the impact of the gas plant on the environment would be “very modest”. The well head would be within the confines of the park, while the main gas plant would be outside near Thornton-le-Dale.

Mr Simpson told the inquiry that he would be making a report on his findings to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, who would make the final decision.

The hearing continues.

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