AN ORGANISATION which protects the North York Moors has not ruled out further action after a controversial £50 million gas plant on the edge of the national park was given the go-ahead.

The Government last week approved Moorland Energy’s scheme to build a gas processing facility at Thornton-le-Dale following a public inquiry last November, which will see underground pipelines linking the site to a well head near Ebberston.

The North York Moors National Park Authority, along with North Yorkshire County Council and Ryedale District Council, had called for the plan to be blocked.

Campaigners claimed it would damage the surrounding countryside and the area’s tourism industry. Moorland Energy has said it would create new jobs and apprenticeships and potentially provide enough power for more than 100,000 homes.

Andy Wilson, the park authority’s chief executive, said: “The authority is disappointed with the decision to allow the gas processing plant, in terms of its impact on Thornton-le-Dale and the wider national park.

“We are carefully considering the implications of the decision and will decide if further action is appropriate.”