MASSIVE changes to plans to transform a former mine into a multi-million pound energy plant have been announced by developers.

UK Coal, the owners of the former North Selby Mine site near Escrick, had planned to create a £30 million pound biorenewable plant on the derelict site, with developers Peel Environmental and Science City York.

In a statement, UK Coal announced Science City York had withdrawn from the project, which may now go ahead in a new form.

Nicola Spence, chief executive of Science City York, said: “Financial considerations, the development of other projects and timing have all had their part to play in the consideration of our decision to not press forward with a Biorenewables Research Facility.”

The project had met with opposition from residents in nearby villages.

New proposals for the site will be put to public consultation this summer, including an anaerobic digestion site which would create heat and electricity from up to 70,000 tonnes of organic waste per year, and a new, indoor system which would divert green waste from landfill to create compost.

A spokesman for Peel Environmental said the company was “naturally disappointed” about Science City York’s withdrawal, but the new scheme “will still make good use of the site and will make an important contribution towards the city of York’s renewable obligations and national climate change targets.”