A MINING company has been accused of ‘degrading’ the North York Moors National Park by seeking to amend a potash mine planning application.

Sirius Minerals PLC started formal construction work at its Woodsmith Mine site near Whitby back in the spring but later submitted revisions to its application which will be considered today.

The revisions include the re-design of foreshafts and shaft construction methodology, changes to building layout and shaft access arrangements, among others.

Two charities - the Campaign for National Parks and the North Yorkshire Moors Association - are opposing the amendments which they say undermine Sirius’s previous efforts to minimise the impact of the operation on the surrounding countryside.

Objectors are particularly concerned over proposals to significantly increase the size of a shaft building and to replace the temporary winding towers by rigs and a crane.

The two charities believe that if these, and other, revisions are approved they will lead to the mine having a more pronounced industrial impact on the National Park landscape than was first agreed.

Ruth Bradshaw, policy and research manager at Campaign for National Parks said: “We have raised concerns over the Woodsmith potash mine since the idea was first proposed in 2013.

“It’s really disappointing that the latest plans undermine the company’s previous work to reduce the impact of the development on the North York Moors.

“Once again Sirius have failed to take account of the extra care that must be taken in this sensitive location and therefore continue to put at risk our treasured National Park.”

The two charities are also concerned over what they say is a lack of information and clarity provided about other changes to the development, particularly as this could lead to an increase in the size of spoil heaps.

Tom Chadwick of the North Yorkshire Moors Association will speak out against the proposed revisions at today’s meeting of the planning committee at the National Park offices in Helmsley.

He said: “Building a mine of this scale in a National Park is simply at odds with the whole purpose of National Parks.

“The changes that are now being proposed will degrade the special qualities of the National Park still further and we are beginning to see the impact of the development at the mine head site at what was Doves Nest Farm.”

A spokesman for Sirius Minerals said the amendments did not drastically alter the initial site plans.

He said: "The amendments outlined in the S73 application provide an opportunity for a simplified mine design and more efficient construction methods.

"The environmental impact of the application is similar to the approved scheme with some advantages, including the removal of two 45m winding towers, which will reduce the visual impact during the construction period. "Works are progressing well on site and we are already employing over 300 people, have contributed over £2.5m to local environment, tourism and community enhancement schemes, and remain committed to making a lasting and positive difference to the local area."

The Woodsmith operation aims to extract the fertiliser polyhalite from the land.