A REPORT on a proposed potash mine prepared for members of the North York Moors planning authority has concluded its substantial economic benefits would not outweigh the potential harm it could cause.

The extent of the agonising decision facing members of the national park authority has been laid bare with today’s publication of the report.

At the end of the month (June 30) members will face a vote that could potentially have implications for development in all of the nation’s national parks and potentially even affect the UK’s trade deficit.

Developer Sirius Minerals wants to create the world’s largest polyhalite mine at Sneaton near Whitby, along with a 23-mile underground conveyor belt to transport the mineral to a processing plant at Wilton near Redcar.

In a highly unusual step, the report for members of the park’s planning committee does not include firm guidance from officers on how members should vote, and instead issues an open recommendation.

However, park officers concluded the potential national economic benefit of the York Potash development does not constitute the “exceptional circumstances” which would allow such a major industrial development within the protected environment of the national park.

Members will have to weigh up the huge potential boost to the UK trade deficit, the local economy and jobs, against a predicted ecological cost to the protected environment. The decision will set a national precedent for the nation’s national parks.

The report acknowledges the significant economic benefits of the plans, saying it could potentially create a world market for polyhalite as a plant fertiliser to increase food yields.

It adds: “The potential national economic benefits in terms of terms of increased GDP and contribution to reducing the UK trade deficit that would flow from the development are significant and it is recognised that the project would make a contribution to the Government’s economic growth plans.”

But the 229-page report concluded: “It is therefore considered that the economic benefits and extent of the mitigation/compensation offered through planning obligations do not outweigh the extent of the harm and clear conflict with the development plan.

“The greater public interest is considered to be that of the statutory national park purposes which protect the North York Moors for the benefit of the nation."

The lack of a voting recommendation in the report has been criticised by the Campaign for National Parks, which says it is “disappointed” officers failed to recommend refusal.

Sirius remains confident the exceptional nature of the project has been demonstrated.

Chief executive Chris Fraser said: "Responsibility for balancing the various issues related to this application rests with the members of the authority and we believe the case for approval is very strong because the project represents a once in a generation opportunity.

"As recognised in the officers' report, the York Potash Project can bring significant economic and social benefits to the economies of the local and regional area. The application also includes extensive mitigation, compensation and safeguards.”