Moorland Energy have finally lost patience with our planners and now want to have their Gas Plant plans approved not locally, but by the Secretary of State, in Westminster.
Far from "failing" to come to a decision, as Moorland allege, the local planning authorities are properly and dutifully considering the substantial implications of Moorland's proposals on landscape, pollution and public safety.
Part of this due care has been to seek independent advice about the hazards the gas plant will present to locals and visitors, and a safety report was due soon, which may have helped to calm resident's fears.
What a shame that Moorland Energy chose not to wait for this report.
Key Dates for your diary :-
Thursday 15th September 2011 North York Moors National Park Authority - Decision Meeting Park HQ, Helmsley, 10:00am
Even though the Planning Inspectorate will now have the final say on whether planning permission should be granted, the National Park still need to formally decide on a position for or against the gas plant.
At this meeting, the proposals will be debated, with speakers for and against the plans, and the Committee will then take a vote on the issue.
This is a key meeting, and refusal here will be a key milestone.
Please, please attend this if you can, to show Authority members the strength of public feeling about the plans.
Please Contact us if you need help with transport.
Tuesday 25th October 2011 Public Inquiry Begins - expected to last 3 weeks
The Inquiry will be chaired by Mr Edward A Simpson, a very experienced Planning Inspector, and will sit four days a week, Tuesday to Friday. Twelve sitting days have been allocated, meaning that the Inquiry is scheduled to conclude on Friday 11th November.
The Inspector will then go away and prepare his report, which will be submitted to the Secretary of State, who will announce his decision, probably early in 2012.
Generally speaking, this decision will be final, with no further appeals possible by either side.
The venue for the Inquiry will be the National Park Offices, in Helmsley.
We feel that this issue is so important for local people that it is unreasonable to expect them to travel over thirty miles return each day to attend.
We have, however, gained an agreement from the Inspector to hold a special sitting of the Inquiry here in the village. Please see below.
The Planning Inspectorate has produced an easy-to-read guide to the Public Inquiry process. You can view the document by clicking here.
Tuesday 1st November 2011 Special Sitting of the Public Inquiry to be held in Thornton-le-Dale at 7:00pm
A very important meeting which allows local people to voice their objections directly to the Planning Inspector.
A limited number of speaking slots have been allocated, but we want as many people as possible to say in their own words why they believe the development is wrong for the village.
We urge you to attend this meeting if you can, even if you don't plan to speak; it will demonstrate to Inspector that the village doesn't want this eyesore imposed upon it.
Contact us to register your desire to have your voice heard.
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