16 February 2013 Last updated at 10:29 ET

North York Moors potash mine plan views sought

Sirius Minerals says the mine buildings would be hidden by woodland on the proposed 40-hectare (100-acre) site

A public consultation has started on plans to build a potash mine in the North York Moors National Park.

Sirius Minerals has submitted a planning application to build the mine on farmland south of Whitby.

The project would include a 27-mile (43km) underground pipeline to transport the potash ore to Teesside.

The application has been put on the park's website and a public meeting will be held at the Raven Hall Hotel in Ravenscar at 13:30 GMT on 13 March.

Sirius Minerals said test drilling showed the area contained some of the world's biggest deposits of potash, which is used mainly in fertilisers.

The national park authority said the consultation process would last 16 weeks and a decision on the application was expected in May.