Gas has been found in the ground under our feet, and Surrey firm Moorland Energy Limited want to extract this raw (sour) gas from a well site in the National Park north of Ebberston, then pipe it to a new processing refinery just outside Thornton-le-Dale where it will be treated and have waste products removed.

The gas will then be injected into the main transmission system, and sold on the wholesale market.

There is a misapprehension that some people have, no doubt fostered by the company's use of the term "Ryedale Gas Project", that this development, and the gas it will produce, are intended primarily for local benefit. Actually, the European gas market is entirely open; the gas may very well be sold outside the UK altogether.

The sour gas processing plant is to be built on farmland, adjacent to Hurrell Lane, and within sight of Thornton-le-Dale homes.

Moorland Energy would like you to believe that the plant will cover 2.2 Hectares (around 5½  acres). In reality though, the actual land area commandeered is over 14 acres. Even more land is to be taken to construct a new access route, and a fenced-off gas export compound.

This land, categorised as "Best and Most Versatile" arable land, is currently growing wheat, a crop which is rising in price at the moment due to short supply.

 

A large area, included within the 10-foot double security fence is shown on the plans as largely unused. Might this be reserved for future expansion, to make the plant even larger once the community has begun to grow used to a factory on its doorstep?