VILLAGERS near York are steeling themselves for a fresh battle against plans for the redevelopment of a disused mine site.

UK Coal and Peel Environmental are drawing up new proposals to transform the former North Selby Mine at Deighton into a green energy facility.

The authority confirmed last year it was serving an enforcement notice against UK Coal over the original £30 million plans amid claims planning rules had stated the site should be returned to farmland. An appeal is set to be heard in October.

David Randon, Wheldrake Parish Council chair, said it had concerns because of the scheme’s environmental impact and the possibility of additional traffic on the A19 while North Selby Mine Action Group spokesman Mark Oldridge said the proposals had not really changed and would lead to “at least 70 HGV journeys a day and possibly up to 200 car journeys for staff”, adding to pollution levels.

Peel Environmental development manager Richard Barker said comments about the previous plans had been considered and a new consultation would be carried out before an application is submitted.