Gas-plant company chief set to meet opposition campaigners

Moorland Energy chief executive Lawrie Erasmus has agreed to meet local campaign groups, parish councils and residents to discuss the development for the gas processing facility in a field off Hurrell Lane, near Thornton-le-Dale, Ryedale.

The plans, which were submitted to North Yorkshire County Council and the National Park Authority last week, have caused fury since they were announced in March and villagers packed a Thornton-Le-Dale parish council meeting to voice their concerns.

Restaurant owner Adam White is chair of Against Having Sour Gas in Thornton (AGHAST), a newly formed group to oppose the plans.

He said: "This really is just beginning to get off the ground and we have a long fight ahead.

"Everybody is certainly very worried about this.

"We have collected a petition of more than 1,000 signatures and lots of people are poised to write letters of objection to the county council.

"A lot of businesses here are very dependent on the tourist industry, this is such a picturesque village and this development could have a real impact on that.

"We will be meeting with Mr Erasmus when he comes up and we will be going over the plans with a fine-toothed comb."

The Ryedale Gas Project plans were revealed at a public meeting last month.

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

Residents of villages across the area claim the development will clog the roads with heavy industrial traffic, and will be an eyesore which will turn tourists away from the area.

Moorland Energy has assured residents that emissions would be negligible and would not have any impact on people or the surrounding environment.

It also says tree planting will screen the plant and noise will not carry beyond the site.

It is expected the gas supplies identified would give the plant a lifespan of a minimum 20 years and the company says it has

installed a "sunset clause", where the plant will be removed once the gas has gone.

Should the planning application be granted, the company plans to begin construction during 2011 for the plant to become fully operational by early 2013, creating about 150 temporary jobs during construction and about 25 permanent jobs once production starts.

Mr Erasmus, chief executive of Moorland Energy, said: "We undertook a public consultation prior to submitting our planning application for the Ryedale Gas Project, in order to seek the views of local residents about our proposals.

"We held two public exhibitions in early March in Thornton-le-Dale and Allerston.

"These events, which were attended by more than 300 people, were a great opportunity for us to hear their views and explain to them the benefits that the Ryedale Gas Project can bring to their local community, including creating new jobs.

"Community engagement continues to be one of our top priorities so I will be meeting again with local people to answer any questions and hopefully allay any concerns they have about our plans.

"I would like to reassure locals we are committed to this area for the long term."