CONTROVERSIAL plans for a £50 million gas plant in Ryedale have been given the green light by the Government.

Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has confirmed proposals by gas exploration and production firm Moorland Energy for the Ryedale Gas Project at Thornton-le-Dale, on the edge of the North York Moors - which could provide power for more than 100,000 homes - can go ahead.

The scheme was considered at a public inquiry last November after the company lodged an appeal on the grounds that North Yorkshire County Council had failed to make a decision over the gas processing facility. Underground pipelines will link the plant to a well head in the North York Moors National Park, near Ebberston.

The county council, Ryedale District Council and the North York Moors National Park Authority all said the plans should be rejected ahead of the three-week inquiry, while a petition opposing the scheme, which is expected to operate for 20 years, by the Against Having Sour Gas in Thornton (AGHAST) campaign group collected more than 10,000 signatures.

“We are naturally pleased by the Government’s decision,” said Moorland Energy chief executive Lawrie Erasmus.

“It is excellent news for the Ryedale area as it will involve investing millions of pounds in construction and infrastructure work and create temporary and permanent jobs, as well as modern apprenticeships.”

Mr Erasmus said the firm would make its facilities available to other operators to avoid the need for more plants to be built and would switch its main business office to North Yorkshire, with the intention of employing local people. The company plans to form a “liaison committee” to keep residents informed about progress on the scheme.

“We have provided acceptable assurances in relation to the restoration of the gas processing site when the time comes and will comply with all of the conditions attached to the planning permission,” he said.

AGHAST said the plant would spoil Ryedale countryside and affect Thornton-le-Dale’s tourist industry, with opponents also claiming the benefits of the facility have been exaggerated and alternatives had not been fully considered.