CONCERNS over a new multimillion-pound mining development have been raised by conservationists in North Yorkshire.

Developer Sirius Minerals wants to use 100ft-high drilling rigs during geological testing for potash in the North York Moors National Park this summer, during the height of the tourist season.

The company has said the development would create up to 5,000 jobs.

It has submitted planning applications to the National Park Authority to put up temporary drilling sites near the villages of Ugglebarnby, near Scarborough, and Hawsker, near Whitby, for eight weeks, possibly starting in July.

Tom Chadwick, chairman of the North Yorkshire Moors Association, said maintaining the natural beauty of the national park was as important as the promise of new jobs.

Speaking in a recent edition of the association’s newsletter Voice of the Moors, he said: “If this development is to be situated partly or wholly in the park, it will be a massive industrial intrusion into the landscape, designated a national park because of its outstanding beauty. It will be completely unacceptable.”

A spokesman for Sirius said: “We are committed to bringing this project forward in the right manner and to taking account of all environmental factors.

“Sinking of boreholes constitutes temporary works that we will complete as quickly as possible, but we are keen to work with local communities on an ongoing basis to ensure that any temporary disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.”

The exact location of the mine has not yet been identified, but Sirius was granted mining rights along the North Yorkshire coast.

Submissions for more temporary drilling sites are expected to be announced shortly.

Chris France, director of planning for the national park authority, said: “We realise the scale of the development and the implications on the landscape and environment of the national park, and indeed the economic impact for local jobs and the national economy.

“An application which is expected to be submitted in due course will be rigorously examined in the context of national guidelines on development within the boundaries of national parks before any decision will be made.”