Park authority digging itself into a hole over potash mine

I REFER to your report by Rob Waugh (Yorkshire Post, May 18) regarding the proposed development of the world’s largest potash mine under the North York Moors at Sneaton, near Whitby.

I cannot believe that the National Park Authority is stating that tourist numbers in the area will be affected by as much as 15 per cent. What absolute rubbish. Just where have they plucked this figure from?

The location of the proposed mine is not in or around Whitby but six miles away at Sneaton. I have been visiting Whitby town for over 70 years as my father was born in Whitby in the late 19th century and I regularly visited my grandparents there.

Tourists go to the area to 
visit Whitby itself. To enjoy the area, the beach, around the piers, the famous Magpie fish restaurant.

Crossing the river on to the east side we find the old town, with its narrow streets occupied by old-fashioned sweet shops, photographic studios, fish and chip restaurants and a selection of cafés in abundance.

What better way to pass the time of day than sitting in the old market square with a pot of tea and a cream cake and watching the world go by?

Cross the square to one of the many pubs located in that area, sit out on the balcony with a beer and watch the activity on the river. Certainly Whitby has a lot to offer the tourist. It has enjoyed popularity from around the world for many years and will continue to do so even with this mine in the distance.

While one may occasionally visit the villages of Ruswarp, Sleights or even the hamlet of Little Beck, the main visitor destination is Whitby.

I feel sure that many people will never have heard of Sneaton. I have only visited the village once in the past 50-plus years and that was to suss out the pub The Wilson Arms.

Sirius Minerals should be supported with this proposed mine.

They are bringing around 1,000 new jobs to the local area which, at present, is still suffering from above-average levels of unemployment.

It is estimated that this will contribute £55m during the period of the construction phase and possibly millions at full production.

My sincere wish now is to see consent granted and no further talk of the tourist economy being affected by this ridiculous percentage as hundreds of livelihoods depend on the final outcome.

The proposed meeting of the National Park Authority to take place at Helmsley on July 27 should and must come up with a favourable solution.

I understand that many of 
the landowners have already received advanced generous payments with more to follow and there is talk of many eventually becoming 
millionaires.