WE should strongly applaud the eight members of the National Park planning committee who granted permission for the Sirius Potash mine.

While acknowledging short-term disruption their courage and common sense in the face of strong but narrowly focussed opposition have ensured 1,000 jobs, significant local economic benefit in an area that needs it, and a secure national supply of potash for our country’s fertiliser needs for 100 years.

I strongly urge those responsible for deciding the Third Energy application to raise their vision above local opposition groups and to have the same courage and common sense in the interests of our national energy security – unlike their counterparts in Lancashire.

Our country’s gas needs for 50 years lie below Yorkshire and Lancashire. The potash decision shows that national need can be balanced against short term adverse local effect.

John Kitching, Pickering