CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a renewable energy plant on a former Selby area mine will be examined by the Government.

The development on the former North Selby Mine, near Escrick was given provisional approval by planners in York earlier this year, and would see production of methane gas from waste food collected across North Yorkshire to generate electricity.

Residents of nearby villages including Escrick expressed concern that the additional traffic would worsen congestion on the A19 at peak times, and said they were disappointed the site had not been returned to agricultural use in accordance with a previous agreement.

In a letter to the planning minister dated February 27, Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty warned : "The proposal is of such a scale and position that the determination of the proposal by the Secretary of State will enable a full and impartial examination of the cross boundary effects and consideration of the impact on public trust in the enforcement of planning conditions."

The department of communities and local government has requested that City of York Council do not issue a decision notice until a review has taken place.

Yesterday (TUES), Mr Adams said: "I am pleased that the Secretary of State has decided to review the decision taken by York City Council and to consider the impact that this development would have across a wider area.”