PLANS for a £1.5bn fertiliser mine have been approved by a council.

Redcar and Cleveland Council’s regulatory committee yesterday (Thursday, April 23) gave its support for Sirius Minerals to build a mine at its York Potash Project, near Whitby.

It also backed plans for a separate transport system, which is expected to take the mineral underground to Wilton, near Redcar, for distribution.

The move had been expected, with a council report last week recommending the proposals be supported, though Sirius still needs approval from North York Moors National Park Authority.

The company says the mine, which will take 58 months to build, will create more than 1,000 permanent jobs by extracting up to 13 million tonnes of polyhalite every year.

Chris Fraser, Sirius’ managing director and chief executive, said: “We are delighted with the positive decision from the council for this substantial part of the project and look forward to further progress with our other applications.”

However, despite the approval, rival ICL Fertilizers, in Boulby, east Cleveland, has raised concerns over the impact of Sirius' development, fearing a skills shortage. 

The decision comes a day after Sirius revealed the Planning Inspectorate had accepted a development consent order application for a harbour at Bran Sands, on the mouth of the River Tees, to help handle its polyhalite.

Bosses say a final decision on the harbour, which also includes a proposed quay and ship loading equipment, is expected in summer 2016.