The North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA), one of the two local authorities that will determine the key planning application for Sirius Minerals' (LON:SXX) York potash project, may make a decision in May this year.
Sirius submitted applications for the mine and mineral transport system (MTS) and for the materials handling facility (MHF) at the end of September last year.
This was a 'straddling application' submitted to both the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council (RCBC).
Planning officers at NYMNPA have now published an update for members of its planning committee, which is available on the NYMNPA website, Sirius revealed today.
"Although the NYMNPA is not yet in a position to confirm a specific date, it indicates that officers have undertaken a 'critical path analysis'. This has concluded that a 16 week period will be required between submission of any supplementary environmental information and the determination of the application at a planning committee meeting. Based on current estimates this is likely to lead to a determination in May 2015."
RCBC has not yet given an indication on timeframes for its determination, the firm added.