Whitby potash mine gets Redcar council approval

Sirius Minerals still needs approval from North York Moors National Park Authority for the mine

The opening of a £1.7bn potash mine in North Yorkshire has taken a step forward after the first set of planning permissions were approved.

Sirius Minerals has had its application for a mine and mineral transport system near Whitby approved by councillors at Redcar and Cleveland Council.

The company still needs approval from North York Moors National Park Authority.

Sirius says the mine will create more than 1,000 permanent jobs.

The council-approved plans propose transferring the mined material via an underground conveyor belt system.

Sirius managing director Chris Fraser said: "The application is a significant part of the overall approvals required for the delivery of the project and an important step forward for Sirius."