A NATIONAL campaign body says it will decide next month whether to mount a legal challenge over plans to allow a £1.7 billion potash mine within the North York Moors National Park.

The Campaign for National Parks (CNP), an independent charity, is threatening to challenge a decision to allow the creation of the world’s largest potash mine at Sneaton near Whitby.

The plans were approved by the North York Moors National Park Authority earlier this summer.

Members voted to allow the plans to go ahead, after considering a lengthy report by officers and listening to impassioned arguments from those for and against.

The scheme was put forward after 1.3 billion tonnes of polyhalite were discovered below the national park and coast. It is believed to be the world’s biggest and best quality supply of the mineral, which will be used as a crop nutrient to improve food yields.

A tunnel will also be built to transport the mineral 23 miles from the site to Wilton on Teesside where the mineral will be processed for export.

At the meeting to consider the plans several weeks ago, members heard how the York Potash Project could potentially lessen the UK’s productivity gap and help balance the North/South economic divide. It would also lead to the creation of 1,000 direct jobs in the North York Moors and Teesside.

But the meeting also heard about the harm it would cause to the moors’ landscape and other qualities such as its remoteness.

As part of a package of financial compensation, Sirius Minerals will pay £70 million towards carbon off-setting and £56 million towards landscape, wildlife and recreation in the park.

Prior to the planning decision, the CNP led a group of 29 organisations, including the RSPB, the National Trust and the Youth Hostels Association in signing a letter calling on the park authority to reject the plans.

They were concerned that allowing the mine to be built would set a precedent for other major industrial development within national parks. They also warned of “substantial” damage potentially being caused to the landscape, as well as lasting damage to wildlife and habitats.

The CNP has made its announcement about pursuing a legal challenge after Communities Secretary Greg Clark said the Government would not be exercising its right to call in the application, meaning there will be no public inquiry.

Chris Fraser, chief executive of developer Sirius Minerals, welcomed the decision not to call in the plans and said they could now push ahead with the next phases of financing and construction.

Ruth Bradshaw, policy and research manager at CNP said in a statement: "We are really disappointed at the Government's decision not to call in the York Potash Project as we believe that it clearly met the criteria justifying a public inquiry.

"We will be waiting now for the final decision notice expected in September and will be considering then whether we have grounds for a legal challenge.”