A COMPANY building a £2bn potash mine has received absolute approval for a number of aspects in the development.

Sirius Minerals says it has been given final decision notices, formally granting planning permission, for key facets of its York Potash Project, near Whitby.

The firm, which aims to create 1,000 direct jobs at the mine, says Redcar and Cleveland Council has given such notices for the mine and a transport system, which will take its fertiliser mineral polyhalite to a handling site on Teesside.

The authority’s regulatory committee backed the plans earlier this year, and the decision notices represent confirmation of that decision.

Scarborough Borough Council has also signed off a notice endorsing temporary construction accommodation for use during the mine’s build, with the council and the North York Moors National Park doing the same for a park and ride facility.

A similar notice for the mine and transport system application from the National Park, which approved Sirius’ plans at a meeting in late June, is expected in September.

Chris Fraser, Sirius’ managing director and chief executive, said: “The decision notices represent the majority of the pieces of the planning jigsaw coming together.

“We thank the authorities concerned for their diligence and look forward to continuing to bring the York Potash Project to fruition.”

Mr Fraser added a decision on a harbour, earmarked for Bran Sands, on the mouth of the River Tees, to load ships carrying exports, is expected from the Government next summer.

The Northern Echo last week reported how Sirius had agreed a multi-billion dollar fertiliser deal, by extending a contract with a US-based company to send its polyhalite across the Atlantic.

The firm will annually dispatch 1.5 million tonnes for seven years, which could be extended further across two five-year periods.

Officials said the deal is the biggest and longest of all Sirius’ existing sales agreements.

The polyhalite will come from Sirius’ mine, which will be based three miles outside Whitby and be the UK’s first potash mine in 40 years.

Sirius says it will tap into the world’s largest and highest grade of the polyhalite, and building work could start later this year.