North York Moors National Park Authority have issued their decision to grant formal planning permission for the York Potash Project to be constructed near Whitby.
The project comprises:
Throughout the life of the project £175 million will be paid to the National Park to compensate for any harmful impacts of the development. This funding will be used to plant new trees in the area as well as promoting the North York Moors as a whole to potential visitors.
Owned by Sirius Minerals, York Potash is estimated to create up to 1,000 jobs as well as bringing in revenue which would see benefits at a national level. The project has been well received by many local residents and bodies because of the economic boost they anticipate the mine will bring.
Managing Director and CEO of Sirius, Chris Fraser thanked all those who have supported the project and added that they ''look forward to beginning construction during 2016.''
Despite permission being granted campaigners are said to be considering a legal challenge of the decision. A spokesperson for Campaign for National Parks said: ''We remain convinced that the project is completely incompatible with national park purposes and that the promised economic benefits for the surrounding area do not justify the huge damage to the national park’s landscape, wildlife and local tourism economy.''
They have six weeks to make any legal challenge they wish to pursue.
