REVOLUTIONARY plans for green energy production on the site of a former coal mine near Selby are being unveiled to local residents.

Villagers living near the ex-North Selby mine have been invited to meetings to find out more about the project, which is set to create more than 100 jobs, The development, from Science City York and UK Coal, would be run by energy company Peel Environmental.

If plans go ahead, the site would include an anaerobic digestor and gasification plant, which would convert biomass and food waste into electricity, which would then be fed into the National Grid.

A research and development facility is also planned for the site, promoted by Science City York.

Joe Ross, biorenewables specialist for Science City York, said the project would benefit the communities and help improve current processes.

“It’s really early days, but we have a blank canvas really,” he said.

“Using the existing site we can come up with ideas on how to improve the green energy process on a much bigger scale than is available at present. We would also like to have an area demonstrating new technologies as an educational centre for children and local people.”

John Dunshea of project managers BNP Paribas Real Estate said the plans would put the area at the cutting edge of new technologies.

“What we have here is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of new energy technologies on which the UK will become increasingly reliant as the nation’s dependence on imported energy and fossil fuels diminishes,” he said. The meetings take place at the Church Cottage, Wheldrake on Thursday, and Escrick Village Hall on Tuesday, October 19 between 4.30pm and 7pm.