Gas plant opponents speak up for protection of countryside

Moorland Energy said the controversial scheme on the fringes of the North York Moors National Park could generate enough gas every day to meet the annual energy requirements of up to 1,600 homes.

The development near Thornton-le-Dale would be one of the biggest gas plants of its kind in the North of England and the proposals have already sparked widespread concerns from villagers living nearby.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has now added its voice to the growing opposition and written to planners at North Yorkshire County Council, which is the authority that will decide if the development gets planning approval.

John Farquhar, a committee member of the CPRE's North Yorkshire branch who deals with planning issues, maintained the company had not done enough to find an alternative site which would not impinge as much on the countryside.

Mr Farquhar, who is also a member of the organisation's Ryedale district branch, said: "The company drew up a shortlist of sites but we do feel that it took the easy option and there are other locations which would not be as visible.

"We do not have a problem with the gas supplies in the area being tapped into but the basic question is how to do it and from which site.

"There are far better locations which should be considered and we would urge the council to consider the proposals very carefully before making any decision."

A campaign group, called Against Having Sour Gas in Thornton (AGHAST), has collected more than 9,000 signatures in opposition to the proposals.

Its chairman Adam White claimed national research had revealed that there was "ample capacity" to supply the country's gas requirements up to 2020 and beyond.

He added: "Local people will remember the experience of the Pickering gas processing plant, which opened to a fanfare in 1971, only to be demolished in 1974 as gas production rates were nothing like those hoped for.

"Nationally, we are not so desperate for gas that we must turn to the destruction of our most valued landscapes."

Moorland Energy representatives are adamant, however, that every effort has been made to ensure the proposed development does not impact on the environment.

A potential site in Givendale near the well-head for gas extraction which was suggested by the CPRE falls within the national park and would not be given planning consent, according to a spokesman.

He also dismissed suggestions the scheme could be earmarked for an industrial estate on the edge of Pickering as it would be too close to residential properties and access was problematic.

The spokesman added: "Several sites were considered, and the location which has been chosen is certainly not the easiest – or the cheapest – option.

"The vast majority of people living close by will not be able to see the gas plant as it will be very well screened. Every effort will be made to minimise its impact on the surrounding area."

An exhibition is being staged today and tomorrow at Thornton-le-Dale Village Hall to give the public more information.

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.

According to Moorland Energy, this would be the equivalent of about 43m megajoules of energy or nearly 12m KWh of electricity.