A DECISION on the York Potash Project has been delayed to allow for further consultation in the light of new information.

A special planning committee meeting scheduled for July 2, which was due to determine the outcome of plans for the potash mine near Whitby, will now be held on July 29.

Among the additional information is a new report by consultants ERS, which claims the potash project, if approved, would add £940 million a year to the local economy when operating at full capacity and create up to 6,089 construction and production jobs over a ten-year period.

ERS estimated that a new mine would make an annual contribution of up to £1.4 billion to UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and contribute up to 0.1 per cent of UK GDP growth, which would reduce the UK’s current account deficit by about ten per cent, generating annual tax payments of up to £303 million per year.

The study said that over the first ten years, 2,714 new direct and indirect jobs would be created in the local area alone and 500 local people would be trained over a three-year period as part of the company’s education and skills programme.

The report also highlighted the challenges facing the local area, with up to 9,200 local people looking for work, significant numbers of young people leaving the area to find employment and salaries which are 13 per cent lower than the national average.

Chris Fraser, managing director and chief executive of Sirius Minerals, the company behind the project, said he welcomed the small extension, which would allow the remaining issues to be properly considered.

The report also outlined a scenario in which the project did not go ahead, which forecast the loss of up to 337 jobs and local supply chain expenditure of £46 million.

York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership has also appealed to a small number of objectors who have raised concerns about the impact of building a mine in the National Park.

Rob Miller, LEP board member, said Sirius had agreed to invest 0.5 per cent of its revenues – as much as £7 million per year – into a local community fund.

He said: “Tourism is one of our key sectors and we are committed to supporting the industry. We see this as a real opportunity - any short term disruption during construction can be managed and alongside that will be the additional spend with local tourism businesses.

“Tourism has been crying out for investment and we need to use this community fund to help develop local infrastructure, improve local skills and invest in the arts.”