NYMNPA

Redcar and Cleveland has already given approval for the project, but NYMNPA - the statutory planning authority for the North York Moors National Park - still has to give its approval as part of a "straddling application", if the project is to go ahead.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has already given the go-ahead for the project, which include a mine south of Whitby and mineral transport system to take potash to a processing plant at Wilton, as part of a straddling application with NYMNPA. Planners at NYMNPA will hold a special planning committee meeting on June 30, with the following day also being made available if required.

York Potash is also seeking planning permission from North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) as part of a 'straddling application' with Redcar and Cleveland Council.

The company withdrew its original 2013 planning application to the NYMNPA, before changing its plan from a slurry pipeline to an underground conveyor system as the method for transporting the mineral to Teesside.

A spokesperson for the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA), which is considering part of the application, said: "This is a major development proposal - believed to be the largest ever submitted to a National Park Authority in England.

As reported, the NYMNPA has also objected, saying views of hills for miles around could be affected by the height and proximity of the turbines.

NYMNPA members say the proposed development would have "significant and harmful impacts in terms of views of important iconic landscape features and sites along the edge of the North York Moors."

A NYMNPA spokeswoman said: "Moorsbus remained high cost per passenger to operate and was given a low priority in a public survey of more than 1,500 responses, on where we should concentrate resources."

The PS36,000 EU grant will be topped up by PS24,000 of cash and in-kind support from the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA).

Bernie McLinden, NYMNPA head of park management, said: "We are only a few weeks into the summer, but have already had several fires.

Andy Wilson, NYMNPA chief executive, said: "This is a tribute to the continuing hard work of our staff, members and volunteers and the excellent team spirit that exists between them all."

Funding is from Yorkshire Forward, the European Regional Development Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorventure and the NYMNPA.