Warning over decision on £1bn potash mine

A decision on whether to give the go-ahead for the mine is expected next month amid concerns it could deter tourists from the area and have a negative impact on the environment. But the mine promises to employ 1,000 people directly and provide jobs for many more through the supply chain. Stockmarket-listed company Sirius Minerals is behind York Potash which has asked the North York Moors National Park Authority for permission to build the minehead on a site south of Whitby near the village of Sneaton.

A board member of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, Rob Miller, said: “York Potash has invested significant amounts of money developing a mine design which minimises the impact to the local area and has made major commitments to ensure the benefits are felt locally. Failure to approve the scheme would cause unnecessary delays and put the investment and opportunity in jeopardy.”

The firm has promised to recruit 80 per cent of its workers locally and invest as much as £7m per year into a community fund. But a survey commissioned by the national park authority and published last month suggested 14 per cent of respondents would avoid the area once the mine was built.

Mr Miller said: “We see this as a real opportunity – any short term disruption during construction can be managed and alongside that will be the additional spend with local tourism businesses.

“Tourism has been crying out for investment and we need to use this community fund to help develop local infrastructure, improve local skills and invest in the arts.”