A “PUBLIC consultation” was recently held in Thornton-le-Dale by Moorland Energy Limited, of Guildford, to inform residents that a gas processing plant is soon to be built just outside this “once prettiest” village.

The consultation was not widely publicised, and many residents are still unaware of the scale of the proposed development. Many seem to think the project is intended for the benefit of the village; in reality, the gas produced is to be injected into the main national pipeline.

Much was made of benefit to the local economy by job creation; a figure of 170 was mentioned. In reality, the number of new posts created by this scheme will be nearer 20, as 150 of the larger number will be contractors building the plant; these jobs likely already exist. I suspect only a fraction of the 20 new jobs will be available to locals.

The plant is to include dozens of large steel cylinders, many more than 40ft high, and as tall as 50 feet. There will be admin buildings, a compressor house and a three- metre perimeter fence. The plant will take up all of a 14-acre pasture, not including extra land needed for new access roads.

The nation is, of course, heavily dependent on gas, but not at the expense of the beauty of our countryside, on which our tourism trade depends. Surely a location for this plant should be found that already has an industrial history.

Local people; don’t be complacent – be aware just how large this factory is going to be. This may be the thin end of a wedge of future industrialisation. Don’t find yourself telling your grandkids “I remember when it was all fields round here ….”

Adam White, Thornton-le-Dale