THE YORK, North Yorkshire & East Riding Enterprise Partnership (the LEP) has restated its firm support for the economic benefits of the proposed potash mine near Whitby, despite opposition from environmental groups.

In a letter to the North York Moors National Park Authority, the LEP states that the economic benefits of this £1.7 billion investment represents an opportunity that cannot be passed by.

It added that this is the largest investment in the north of England and will lead to thousands of new jobs for local people and will significantly boost the local, regional and wider national economy.

Barry Dodd CBE, Chair of the York, North Yorkshire & East Riding Enterprise Partnership said: “Investment on such a huge scale is unprecedented in North Yorkshire, this opportunity is one we cannot afford to miss.

“ Even in a conservative scenario, it will boost the whole of North Yorkshire’s economy by a staggering 6% and with the mine comes new jobs to the Yorkshire coast, jobs that are skilled and sustainable, which is even more important for the most deprived area in North Yorkshire.”

Mr Dodd added: “Nationally the mine proposal has huge significance. Contributing £150 million in taxes each year, the project will reduce the budget deficit, as well as a major amount of revenue – equating to 2.5% of the UK trade deficit – that will be brought in through exports. This is an exceptional achievement for a single investment and the size and scale of the benefits will continue for multiple generations”.

The LEP strongly urges North York Moors National Park Authority to support this investment which will be a significant factor in the economic success of the Yorkshire Coast and Tees Valley and will bring very positive change and opportunity to people who need this.

However, 29 environment and amenity organisations have joined forces to send a letter to North York Moors National Park Authority members urging them to reject the proposals for the world’s largest potash mine.

The organisations, led by the Campaign for National Parks, and with a combined membership of more than seven million people, say in the letter that the proposal is not only a huge threat to the North York Moors but that the decision is a critical test of the protection provided to National Parks under national planning policy.

In their report published last week, National Park officers failed to make a recommendation but concluded that the conflict with the Development Plan is such that “the economic benefits and extent of the compensation/mitigation offered through planning obligations do not outweigh the harm and clear conflict with the development plan.”

The report also says that the policy conflict with the Development Plan and national policy is such that the proposal “does not represent exceptional circumstances.”

The issues that the organisations are particularly concerned about include: • The wider implications of the decision for the protection afforded all National Parks in the National Policy Planning Framework • The huge damage this will do to the local tourism economy, • The significant transport and traffic impacts and the fact that these have been downplayed by the developer.

The letter asks Authority members whether there is a proven national need for development; whether this development is the only possible site either inside or outside the National Park and whether the harm inflicted on the Park by the development can be mitigated?

The letter adds: “The Campaign for National Parks believes the answer to all these questions is no. We do not consider that York Potash Ltd has provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate the national need. Similarly, there is insufficient evidence that alternative sites outside the National Park have been adequately considered.

“The potential damage to the landscape during the construction phase is so substantial that Natural England has submitted a formal objection. There would also be lasting damage to the wildlife and landscape of the area.”

Fiona Howie, Campaign for National Parks Chief Executive, said it was also important for Authority members to be aware of the significant damage this major industrial development will do in this sensitive and nationally important landscape. “The officers report confirms our concerns that there will be significant, harmful impacts on the sense of remoteness and the special landforms of the National Park throughout the 100 year mining period. So the special qualities, which are what make the North York Moors loved by local, national and international visitors, will be undermined.

“If this proposal gets the green light, there will also be massive disruption to both residents and visitors during the five year construction period, which will damage the enjoyment of the National Park and have major implications for tourism in the area.

“It is vital that Authority members reject this proposal to preserve the principle and integrity of National Parks both in the North York Moors and across the country.”

Harry Bowell, Director of the North region for the National Trust, said: “The National Trust remains extremely concerned about the scale of the proposed Potash mine development and the long term implications on the North York Moors National Park. Due to the complexity of the project, the full impact of the proposals are not yet clear, and questions remain over the demand, economic benefits and effect on tourism.

“National Parks are given the highest level of protection, and a development of this scale should only go ahead within a protected landscape if there is a proven national need. It’s clear from the recent officers report that the proposals do not reach the required bar in terms of exceptional circumstances.”

The Campaign for National Parks will be speaking as one of the objectors at the special planning meeting on 30 June.