Readers' letters: Thornton-le-Dale villagers object to gas plant proposal

As a chartered engineer (consultant), I also have a deeper understanding of the proposals than most, and this causes me considerable anxiety for the future of the village. I know how effectively the petro-chemical industry can operate to gain its objectives, and our village is in danger of being “ground” by the petro-chem machine.

I visited the Thornton-le-Dale exhibition and was quite impressed by the professional presentation.

I asked some questions and got some answers that caused me to go home and think seriously.

I have asked (in writing) for more detailed information, but as yet it has not been provided.

I was told that the plant was to process 40,000,000 cubic feet per day (over one million metres). This exceeds the outputs of a number of the North Sea gas platforms.

Mr Erasmus in his letter claims how the ‘factory’ will benefit the village. These benefits are no more than any well-run company would consider when making their project “cost effective”. No one designing a plant will include anything which is not essential.

These plants are highly automated and require virtually no staff.

I urge you to do as Mr Scarr suggested in his letter (March 20) and write to the Planning Department, NYCC, County Hall, Northallerton DL7 2AD, and do it now please as time is limited.

W Brooke Midgley, Thornton-le-Dale.

* I WRITE in response to the letter from Lawrie Erasmus.

He states that the public consultation events were publicised in a number of ways during February. As Jerry Scarr quite rightly points out (in his letter in the March 31 issue), no one in Thornton that I know received an invitation flyer.

He states that “the site will be further landscaped to minimise as much as possible any visibility from Thornton-le-Dale”.

And that, “despite its industrial nature, wherever possible, materials and colour will be used to help the proposed facility blend into its natural setting” .

Also that, the proposed development “will create both temporary and permanent employment and where possible, Moorland Energy will look to recruit the required skills from within the Ryedale communities”.

There is no guaranteed commitment to any of above. All this amounts to is some positive spin that he is trying to put on to the development proposal.

As for his invitation to visit the Ryedale Gas Project website to provide feedback, I did this on March 6, received a brief acknowledgement on March 16 and still have had no detailed response to the points of concern that I raised.

The consequences of this plant will be disastrous for local people and the environment if it goes ahead, and I strongly believe that the planning application should be opposed.

Jon Bates, Thornton-le-Dale.

* I WRITE in regard to the Moorland Energy Ltd letter from Mr Erasmus in which he says that the company will minimise the impact of this scheme.

It is impossible to do this, as Thornton-le-Dale looks down over this proposed site. I should know because I live in Hurrell Lane at the top of the hill and looking through my windows I can clearly see down the hill to the site.

The tallest tower on the plan is 50ft high and even with trees planted the same height we would still see the plant. Professionals will tell you that planting trees in a bund is a bad idea, as 95 per cent don’t take and grow. As the plans have been lodged with the county council, we must all get together and fight this application.

I moved here in my retirement because of the extensive rural views, as I have been a country lad all my life. Mr Jerry Scarr was right when he said that the environmental impact of this proposed plant will be huge and spoil our countryside. And for the record, Moorland Energy Ltd did not deliver any leaflets or invitations to any residences in this village. This project can only harm our pretty village through loss of visitors and walkers, who come here all year round to enjoy this area.

I have not met anyone in Thornton-le-Dale who is for this gas plant.

This project will not bring us a lot of permanent jobs, maybe one or two apprenticeships – and this for the loss of our countryside views.

Take your gas plant plans somewhere else more appropriate, Mr Erasmus.

George W Jackson, Thornton-le-Dale.

* I REFER to the letter from Lawrie Erasmus, wherein he seeks to reassure me on a number of points. I reply as follows: 1) If you delivered 4,000 leaflets where were they delivered? There are 886 residential dwellings in Thornton-le-Dale, the most affected village, and nobody had one!

2) Since you did not deliver any leaflet to residents in Thornton-le- Dale prior to the March 5 meeting, you now cannot claim to have carried out a full public consultation.

3) You are not able to screen this proposed site from the village. The elevation height from the proposed site base up to Hurrell Court is 138.6 feet. This means that if you planted 49ft tall trees around the proposed site, residents and visitors to our village would still be able to see your proposed giant gas plant.

4) Tree suppliers state that planting trees in a bund that will dry out is useless, as more than 90 per cent fail to grow. Motorway embankments prove this point.

5) The artist’s impressions at your display were “idealistic pictures”. They were not factual.

6) I repeat that a giant gas plant on this site is unacceptable because it cannot be screened, is open greenfield, near the village conservation area and the National Park, would spoil the scenic quality of the landscape and be detrimental to the economy of this area.

There is a much better site between your Ebberston well and the National Transmission Line, hidden in the side of a hill outside Ebberston.

I am sure you will find, Mr Erasmus, that the residents in arguably the prettiest village in the National Park will fight you to the bitter end.

Jerry Scarr, Thornton-le-Dale.