DEVELOPERS who want to build a renewable energy plant on a disused mine site between Selby and York have defended their decision to appeal against a council order which requires the site to be returned to agricultural land.
City of York Council made an order in May instructing UK Coal to remove all buildings and machinery from the North Selby Mine site, near Escrick, within two years. But opponents of the plan say the company’s appeal against the order showed the developers would not listen to the local community or council.
Mark Oldridge, of the North Selby Mine Action Group, said: “It is clear to us and the local community, that UK Coal has no intention of complying with planning conditions and meeting their obligations made to the local community.”
The group claimed that the developer’s plans would lead to an additional 11,000 HGV movements annually along the A19.
Last week, The Press reported that although the mineshaft and equipment associated with the mine had been removed, related building and machinery should also have been removed within 12 months of the plants closure.
Gordon Grant, from UK Coal, said: “I think there are options other than going back to agriculture, which we feel would get better use of that area. That is why we have appealed the enforcement notice.”
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