UK Coal has got the green light to push on with redevelopment plans at a former mine site in North Yorkshire, after the Court of Appeal threw out a legal challenge to the plans.

UK Coal’s property arm Harworth Estates can now promote the 250,000 sq ft former Gascoigne Wood site at Sherburn in Elmet, near Selby, for re-use as a rail-linked business park.

Samuel Smith Old Brewery, which was trying to block the development, has also been refused leave by the judge to petition the House of Lords to challenge the decision made by the Secretary of State for communities and local government, Hazel Blears, to allow the re-use of the site.

Eddie Peat, development director of UK Coal’s property arm Harworth Estates, said: ‘The decision means we can now get on with the job of re-energising the Gascoigne Wood site, attracting new businesses and new jobs.

'The decision is good for us, good for Selby and a significant step in the drive to encourage more businesses to utilise the excellent rail-connected site and switch the movement of their goods to sustainable transport.’

DTZ is advising UK Coal on the promotion of the site.