Decision on gas plant near park imminent

Developers have revealed they are hopeful the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) will announce later the week whether the contentious proposals to create one of the biggest operations of its kind in the north of England will be given the go-ahead.

A decision had been expected in the spring, after the DCLG wrote to the firm behind the proposals, Moorland Energy, to inform the company that an announcement was due to be made no later than May 8. But the decision has yet to be given following the latest delay to affect the plans.

Moorland Energy’s chief executive, Lawrie Erasmus, said: “We understand that this short delay in announcing the decision on our planning application is due to the current workload at the Secretary of State’s office. We, therefore, look forward to receiving his decision in due course, probably by next Friday.”

Moorland Energy submitted blueprints to build the gas plant on the edge of the North York Moors National Park in April 2010, before the proposals were considered at a public inquiry in the autumn last year.

The company had previously accused North Yorkshire County Council, which is the main planning authority, of dragging its heels on making a decision. But senior councillors maintained the scale of the planned development had meant a lengthy analysis was vital before the public inquiry was held. The plant had been initially expected to cost £50m, but it is understood the price has escalated significantly because of the delays. The well-head would be within the confines of the park, while the main gas plant would be outside near Thornton-le-Dale. The plant is aimed at generating enough gas every day to meet the annual energy requirements of up to 1,600 homes.