Legal challenge over gas plant project ‘could cost thousands’

The bid to create one of the biggest operations of its kind in the North of England has sparked a wave of opposition amid fears it could ruin some of Yorkshire’s finest countryside.

Moorland Energy submitted proposals to build the gas plant on the edge of the North York Moors National Park a year ago this month.

However, no decision has so far been made by North Yorkshire County Council, which is the main planning authority responsible for deciding if the scheme should be approved.

The North York Moors National Park Authority will also help shape a decision as the well-head would be within the confines of the park, although the main gas plant would be outside near Thornton-le-Dale.

It is understood that Moorland Energy is now considering its options, and may attempt to take the proposals to a public inquiry for a Government planning inspector to give the ruling.

Even if no decision is made by the county council in what is considered a reasonable period, a public inquiry can still be ordered by the Government in a process which would cost at least several hundred thousand pounds.

A Moorland Energy spokesman confirmed a planning application was submitted last April before additional information requested by the council was provided in September.

He added: “We have had no clear indication of a timescale, even though the proposals were handed in a year ago.

“It is extremely disappointing that no decision has been made, and we would hope that there would have been at least some kind of dialogue with the council about what is happening.

“Moorland Energy is no closer to knowing a decision at the moment, although I would stress that the company is still 100 per cent committed to the scheme.”

The company has had to revise its own timescale, after privately hoping for a decision from the council by the end of last month at the latest.

The gas plant had been initially expected to cost £50m, but it is understood that the price has now begun to escalate significantly due to the delays.

The county council is faced with having to make £69m in savings to counter savage cuts in funding from the Government.

But its executive member for business and environmental services, Coun Gareth Dadd, was adamant that the authority’s planning department had adequate resources at its disposal.

He said: “All cases which are presented to the council are given due consideration, and this particular proposal is going through the process. I do believe that every resource is available to ensure it is considered properly.”

The gas plant is aimed at generating enough gas every day to meet the annual energy requirements of up to 1,600 homes.

Moorland Energy has stressed every effort has been made to ensure the proposed development does not impact on the environment. But a campaign group, Against Having Sour Gas in Thornton (Aghast), has collected more than 10,000 signatures on a petition opposing the plans.

Group chairman Adam White, who has lived in Thornton-le-Dale with his wife, Claire, for seven years, said: “We are heartened that the planning authorities have taken this amount of time to look at the plans.

“There should certainly not be a snap decision, and we feel that the development is not warranted for the impact it will have on residents and the national park.”

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.