CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a £50 million gas treatment facility in Ryedale could costs tax payers in North Yorkshire thousands of pounds if delays continue.

The plans, from Moorland Energy, to build the plant near Thornton-le-Dale, were submitted to North Yorkshire County Council last April, but the project has been delayed after the council requested more information about the scheme.

A spokesman for Moorland Energy said the company was considering its options about taking the plans to a public inquiry for a Government planning inspector to look at.

He said: “The situation is that Moorland Evergy put in their application 12 months ago and are still awaiting a formal response, and no decision has been made.

“No decision has been made as to going to the Secretary of State, but we remain committed to the project, and would prefer to resolve the application through the usual democratic process.”

If the scheme was taken to a public inquiry by developers or even by the Government, the legal challenge could cost hundreds of thousands of pounds.

“It is extremely disappointing that no decision has been made, and we would hope that there would have been at least some kind of dialogue with the council about what is happening. Moorland Energy is no closer to knowing a decision at the moment.”

In February, chief executive of Moorland Energy Lawrie Erasmus said the scheme would create about 25 permanent jobs and up to ten modern apprenticeships for the region.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said the plant scheme was undergoing consultation.