North Selby Mine Anaerobic Digestor Application
Background
The former North Selby Mine site is located on New Road to the North and East of the village.
In April 2013 Peel Environmental and UK Coal obtained planning permission from City of York Council for an Anaerobic Digestion (AD) facility to generate electricity (and heat) from up to 60,000 tonnes of organic waste per year, and a horticultural glasshouse to host a plant propagation facility. This decision was quashed in September 2013 following judicial review, and subsequently on 23rd January 2014 revised plans were passed by City of York Council's planning committee. The scheme was be referred to Communities and Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles, because of its green belt location, however the government confirmed it would not block the plans.
Escrick Parish Council has opposed this development.
Update January 2019:
The land owner has now applied for planning application for a caravan/leisure park. See https://www.escrick.org/council/north-selby-mine-leisure-park/
Update 1st May 2014:
The government has now written to the council confirming it will not fully investigate the plans, and planning approval has been officially granted.
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/11185207.Green_light_for___23_5m_renewable_energy_plant/
Update 24th January 2014:
Plans for an anaerobic digestion plant at the North Selby Mine site were passed on a 10-5 vote by City of York Council’s planning committee on 23rd January.
The scheme will now be referred to Communities and Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles, because of its green belt location.
- Recording of planning committee meeting: http://www.york.gov.uk/info/200621/transparency/82...
- Agenda/minutes of planning committee meeting: http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?...
- Coverage in York Press: http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10963564.Eric_Pick...
Update 14th January 2014:
From City of York Council:
The planning application will be decided at the Planning-Committee meeting on 23 January 2014, at 4.30pm at West Offices, Station Rise, York.
The recommendation for this application will be "Approve after referral to Sec. of State".
Update 19th November 2013:
The Parish Council's response submitted on 19th November 2013
Escrick Parish Council Response
Updated 29th October 2013:
The Parish Council has been notified of a revised planning application submitted to City of York Council - comments by 19th November:
NSM - York Planning - 29Oct2013.pdf
Update 20th September 2013:
The outcome of a Judicial Review into the decision to grant planning permission was announced on 13th September, quashing the decision.
Received by the Parish Council on 20th September 2013
Dear Supporter, Following the decision by City of York Council (CYC) on 25th April to approve planning permission to turn North Selby Mine into a 60,000 tonne Anaerobic Digestion plant together with 11 acres of greenhouses, North Selby Mine Action Group (NSMAG) considered its options following overwhelming public opposition to the plans.
We were very disappointed that CYC chose to ignore local sentiment entirely in their original determination and so we opted to seek a judicial review of the decision. As a result of this legal review, it became clear that CYC had acted unlawfully in relation to the removal of plant, machinery and buildings at North Selby and ultimately that led them to making an unlawful decision in approving planning permission. Our legal team found that Council Officers had not advised Members correctly, as UK Coal and Peel should have removed everything from the site in order to assess any potential impact on the Green Belt caused by this proposed development. Consequently NSMAG and others took CYC to the High Court with a view to quashing that decision. On Friday 13th September the original planning decision was formally quashed.
NSMAG will continue to strongly argue the case that Peel's proposed development is totally inappropriate within the Green Belt and that it does not satisfy the test of ‘special circumstances’. We don't believe that there are any ‘special circumstances’ why this development should take place at North Selby and so we will continue to fight Peel's proposals until they abandon them entirely.
We hope that we can continue to count on your support. Regards
NSMAG
Read the Evening Press coverage:
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10684841.Fresh_decision_ on_North_Selby_Mine_energy_ plant_scheme/
Other documents
Escrick Parish Council response to original application: NSM.pdf