Proposals have been unveiled for a potash mine in North Yorkshire yesterday. On Monday, Sirius Minerals announced that it planned to open Britain’s first potash mine in forty years within the boundaries of a National Park.

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The company claimed its potash mine, which would be built four kilometres from Whitby, would create 1,000 jobs, and make Britain a significant exporter of potash, used principally as fertiliser. It said the mine could produce a tenth of the current global demand for Sulphate of Potash by 2020. It is believed the world’s largest and highest quality deposit of the valuable substance lies under the moors.

The company’s designs show the site would be located within a commercial forestry block, which is currently standing, with parts of the mine sunken and covered by agricultural-style structures. Sirius said the whole area would be screened by mature trees.

However, the proposed mine lies within the North York Moors National Park, which is a key area for tourism and conservation. The North Yorkshire Moors Association, along with a number of other local groups has pledged to oppose the plans, claiming the mine would conflict with the local tourism industry and impact on landscape quality.

The Association's chair, Tom Chadwick told Farming online "Our position on this is in line with our purpose, 'To protect and enhance the characteristic beauty of the North Yorkshire Moors for present and future generations, of people who live, work or visit the area.'"

he continued, "The Association is not opposed to potash mining but will oppose an inappropriate major industrial development in the National Park. We also have serious concerns about the method of transporting  polyhalite as slurry in saturated brine by pipeline. Approx 25Km of the pipeline is in the National Park. We consider this untried method of transportation an industrial scale experiment which should not take place in the National Park."

Sirius Minerals has said the mine would not affect the local landscape or nearby communities. Nevertheless, the proposals will need to be examined by planning officials and will be subject to a public consultation before a decision on the mine’s future can be reached. Sirius said it will consult with the public over the next six weeks before submitting its formal planning application later this year.

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