Firm defends gas plant project after park chiefs oppose scheme

The North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) planning committee yesterday voted to oppose the proposed scheme for a multi-million-pound gas plant on the edge of the national park, in its present location.

Members of the committee, one of the key bodies being consulted over the plans, were asked to consider a report about the consultations amid significant concerns over its environmental impact.

The wellhead would be within the confines of the park, while the main gas plant would be outside near Thornton-le-Dale.

The authority’s head of development management, Mark Hill, had claimed the plant would have a “harsh and inappropriate industrial character and appearance” which would “seriously erode the landscape”.

But despite yesterday’s setback, chief executive Lawrie Erasmus of Moorland Energy, the company behind the scheme, says he is confident of its going ahead with an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate to be heard later this year.

Mr Erasmus said: “Moorland Energy fully understands the issues raised by the national park concerning intrusion on the landscape, location of the gas treatment facility and public perception of risk and we are confident that we can demonstrate the robustness of our proposals in this area.

“We are pleased the national park has accepted our case that the project is unlikely to have any negative effect on tourism in the area. It will in fact make a significant contribution to the local economy through the creation of jobs and apprenticeships.”

Moorland Energy confirmed last month that an appeal had been lodged with the Planning Inspectorate after North Yorkshire County Council failed to make a decision on the proposed plant.

The company submitted a planning application in April last year for the plant, which had been initially expected to cost £50m, but it is understood that the price has now begun to escalate significantly because of the delays.

Meanwhile, at the same meeting, park authority members approved two additional planning applications for drill sites for a massive potash project on the North York Moors. Sirius, the company behind the project, expects the first drill rig to be on-site in Hawsker next week.