Gas plant firm urges councillors to reject ‘flawed’ planning report

North Yorkshire County Council will finally move to formalise its position on the Ryedale Gas Project next Tuesday, nearly 18 months after the plans were originally submitted.

However, the final decision over the bid to create one of the biggest operations of its kind in the North of England – which will now cost well over £50m due to the long delays – will be made following a three-week public inquiry earmarked for October 25 this year.

In a report to councillors, officers are urging members to follow the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) and Ryedale District Council in giving a thumbs down to the proposed gas plant near Thornton-le-Dale.

But ahead of next week’s planning committee meeting, the chief executive of Moorland Energy, Lawrie Erasmus has condemned the report from North Yorkshire County Council’s officers as flawed and issued a final plea for councillors to back the plans.

“We are disappointed that the county council’s officers have adopted such a negative view of our proposal as we have provided all the information they requested in great detail,” he said.

“They appear to have completely ignored the considerable economic benefits that the Ryedale Gas Project will bring to the area as well as the scheme’s contribution to the country’s vital energy requirements.

“However, we hope councillors will still back the proposals despite officers’ recommendations.

“The coalition Government’s draft national planning policy framework seeks to promote sustainable growth and encourage development and we hope councillors will recognise the project’s strategic importance and the significant economic contribution it will make to the area. Exploiting the gas reserves in the area is important, given the country’s current dependence on imports from the Middle East, otherwise these gas reserves will remain stranded.

“The North York Moors National Park Authority has already accepted our case that the Ryedale Gas Project will not have any negative impact on tourism and we urge councillors to look at the overall picture.”

Mr Erasmus also told the Yorkshire Post that the company is planning to relocate its exploration business to the area within the next few months.

The plans, which were originally submitted to County Hall in April last year, have sparked a wave of opposition amid fears it could ruin some of Yorkshire’s finest countryside.

The well-head would be within the confines of the Park, while the main gas plant would be outside, near Thornton-le-Dale.

Critics have expressed concerns over the impact on residents’ health if an accident at the plant was to occur, while others have said the site should be built adjacent to the nearby Knapton power station.

A campaign group, Against Having Sour Gas in Thornton (Aghast), has collected more than 10,000 signatures on a petition opposing the plans.

Moorland Energy has stressed every effort will be made to ensure the proposed gas plant, which is aimed at generating enough gas every day to meet the annual energy requirements of as many as 1,600 homes, does not impact on the environment.

The proposed Ryedale Gas Project is expected to bring up to £10m to the local economy over the next two decades, with about 25 permanent posts created once production starts.

The county council is the main planning authority responsible for deciding if the scheme should be approved, although the North York Moors National Park Authority is also involved.

North Yorkshire County Council did not wish to comment ahead of the meeting.