Controversial gas plant 'worth £10m to moorlands economy'

Plans for the multi-million- pound plant on the edge of the North York Moors National Park have raised concerns among villagers, who fear the development will ruin the idyllic countryside and undermine the hugely important tourism industry.

However, research has revealed that the Ryedale Gas Project could provide an economic boost of up to 500,000 a year at current prices – giving scope for an even greater benefit once inflation is taken into account.

The 25-page report is the latest phase of a charm offensive launched by the company behind the scheme, Moorland Energy, to allay concerns.

Consultants commissioned to carry out the study claimed the economic benefits of construction work alone were "likely to outweigh any negative impacts".

Moorland Energy's chief executive, Lawrie Erasmus, added: "I am very sympathetic to the views and concerns of the people living nearby, and we have already made some small changes to the plans to take in these concerns.

"But we have to ensure that the plant is safe, and that is my over-riding concern. However, we want to make sure that the operation is not detrimental to the surrounding environment, it is beautiful countryside and we certainly do not want to ruin it.

"We will listen to people's views, and I do believe that this development will have major benefits for Ryedale's economy and beyond."

The development in a field off Hurrell Lane, near Thornton-le-Dale, would see a well drilled to a depth of between 5,000ft and 7,000ft with the potential of extracting up to 40 million cubic feet of gas a day.

While Mr Erasmus stressed that the actual figure was more likely to be about 20 million cubic feet a day, he agreed that the plant would be one of the biggest of its kind in the north of England.

Up to 150 temporary workers would be needed during construction for the plant with about 25 permanent posts created once production starts, and Mr Erasmus claimed that every effort would be made to recruit the workforce locally.

But despite the economic benefits, local campaign groups have seen a swell of support.

The Yorkshire Post revealed in April that more than 1,000 residents had signed a petition after a local campaign group, Against Having Sour Gas in Thornton (AGHAST), was launched to block the proposals.

Coun Geoff Acomb, who represents the Thornton-le-Dale ward on Ryedale District Council and who is the chairman of Thornton-le-Dale Parish Council, said: "While we are aware that there is the potential at least for significant economic benefits, we also need to take into account the potential for the negative impact.

"We need to make sure the environment and local communities are not affected for simple economic gain."

A planning application was submitted to North Yorkshire County Council and the North York Moors National Park Authority in April, although a decision is not expected until later this year.

The plant is aimed at refining gas to a very high standard before it is sold on to the National Grid. It will then be used for actual gas supplies or bought by electricity companies to power generators.

The blueprints include engineering works near Ebberston, the installation of two five-mile long underground pipelines, the construction of a gas processing plant on farmland off Hurrell Lane and a new access road from the A170.