UK: Controversial Ryedale Gas Project Gets Green Light

A controversial gas processing plant in North Yorkshire, England has been given the green light, following approval from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

The Ryedale Gas Project, operated by Moorland Energy, will consist of the building of a sour gas processing plant to deal with gas found in the Ebberston South field. However, opponents to the project, such as campaign group Against Having Sour Gas in Thornton (Aghast), had pointed to the location of the plant build which would be in close proximity to the North York Moors National Park. Opponents say the plant is encroaching on an area of natural beauty and will have a negative effect on tourism as well as on the environment and the aesthetics of the area.

However, Eric Pickles, Communities and Local Government Secretary, gave the go-ahead to the project on the basis that the project could provide gas to 75,000 homes annually for a period of 20 years.

Moorland Energy says that the decision is a "positive" one for both it and the local community.

"The company is naturally pleased by the decision of the Secretary of State and views the outcome as very positive for the Ryedale area," Lawrie Erasmus, Chief Executive of Moorland said. "The project will create new jobs and make a positive economic contribution to the local area.

"I am aware of the many residents’ concerns about the impact that our project might have on the landscape, but as we set out at the inquiry, we believe our plans to mitigate the negative impacts are comprehensive."

Aghast, which has been fighting the building of the £50 million plant for three years, said that it was digesting the decision to approve the matter but it was not pleased with the approval.

"We are most disappointed to announce that the Secretary of State has granted planning permission for the building of a Sour Gas processing plant at Thornton-le-Dale," a statement from the group said.