Q: Where is the gas plant going to be built?

A: On open farming land, just to the south of the houses on Hurrell Lane, Thornton-le-Dale. The site is adjacent to the road. A new access road will be built to the east of the site, linked to the A170 between Thornton-le-Dale and Wilton.

Q: When is it going to be built?

A: Imminently. Construction is planned to start next year, with the plant up and running by 2013.

Q: Will I see it from my home?

A: The plant will be visible from the houses of Hurrell Court and several along South Lane, though the operators hope that trees planted during construction will eventually help screen the view. The houses at Willow Grange and Charity farms will have the most direct view of the plant. Homes in Wilton will also look directly across to the site.

Q: What about the flare?

A: A source of great concern. The function of the flare is to quickly burn off gas in an emergency situation. The refinery holds up to 20 tonnes of raw and partly-processed sour gas, and this would need to be burned within 15 minutes to meet safety requirements.

This will produce a huge amount of noise, and the limited height of the flare chimney will mean that the exhaust gases (like Sulphur Dioxide, unburnt Hydrogen Sulphide and NOx emissions) will not be able to escape into the higher air stream, and are likely to collect in the valley.

The flare will also being used during plant maintenance, and will require testing at least annually.

Q: How big is the refinery going to be?

A: Bigger than you think. The field is 350 yards long by up to 200 yards wide - similar to the area covered by Thornton-le-Dale show field, the car park and duck pond combined. All of this area will be enclosed by a double fence 9ft 4in high. The plant will have security lighting - no more dark skies.

Q: Why should I be worried?

A: We believe that the character of Thornton-le-Dale, and of Wilton, will be altered permanently by this development. The precedent set by this gas works may make similar development more likely in the future. The desirability of the villages as places to live and visit will be reduced, and this may have a negative impact on house values.

Q: Will there be any noise or smell?

A: The odour of sour gas is so potent that we think it will be almost impossible to guarantee no smell. During maintenance, or when products are loaded, some odour is bound to escape.

Q: Will that be it, once it's finished, no more developments?

A: We are worried that the development may set a precedent for future development. Further gas finds may mean the plant size may need to be expanded, and electricity generation from the site in the future has not been ruled out. This would mean pylons, as at Knapton, across the valley.

Q: Isn't it already decided? I mean, me grumbling won't affect anything, surely?

A: We have faith in the integrity of the planning process. The planning applications have now been submitted, and we trust that due weight will be given to the concerns of residents and visitors. Although the well head (at Ebberston moor) has already been drilled, the land needed for the processing plant has not yet been acquired.

It's most important that your views are made known to the planners NOW, hence this campaign to raise public awareness.