Potash mine plan under discussion

The North York Moors National Park could soon be home to the world's biggest potash mine

Councillors are discussing whether to allow what is potentially the world's biggest potash mine to be constructed in the North York Moors National Park.

The proposal by Sirius Minerals to build the mine near Whitby came after about 1.3 billion tonnes of polyhalite was discovered below the protected Yorkshire coastline - believed to be the world's biggest and best quality supply of the valuable mineral.

The firm has said the discovery of the mineral, which is processed to make premium potash fertiliser, could create more than 1,000 jobs and generate £1.5 billion a year.

The York Potash Project would see a 1,500-metre mine sunk beneath the park, which would tunnel outwards and pump the polyhalite underground about 30 miles north to Teesside, where it would be processed.

The mine would be located around 4km south of Whitby on the B1416, near the village of Sneaton.

However, the proposal has provoked widespread criticism from campaigners who believe it would wreck a corner of the much-loved national park and create a dangerous precedent.

A special planning committee of North York Moors National Park Authority is meeting at Sneaton Castle, near Whitby.