Coal mine branded a ‘climate catastrophe’

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS OPPOSE PLANS FOR SITE

A BID to dig an opencast coal mine on the outskirts of Newcastle could prove a “climate catastrophe”, environmental campaigners say.

Banks Mining, the company behind the controversial mine bid near Druridge Bay in Northumberland, is moving forward with another coal-extraction scheme near Throckley.

A planning application for the Dewley Hill surface mine, which would be located on agricultural land to the north of the A69’s Throckley junction and to the east of the B6326 Ponteland Road, is expected to be submitted to Newcastle City Council in coming weeks.

The scheme, which would be run in partnership between Durhambased Banks Mining and Ibstock Brick, would run for three-and-ahalf years and see 80,000 tonnes of coal and 400,000 tonnes of fireclay extracted from the site.

The project was initially introduced in 2016, and this week Banks presented plans to Throckley locals, arguing the scheme would support 50 jobs, and reduce the UK’s reliance on coal from overseas, thereby cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

But local environmental group Save Newcastle Wildlife argues coal extraction should be stopped for good to combat climate change.

And, it claims the local impact of mining could mean “decimating” wildlife habitats, blight locals with noise and dust and increase flooding and contamination risks.

Reporter The site of the proposed coal mine on the western edge of Newcastle

Save Newcastle Wildlife spokesperson Rachel Locke said the scheme would harm wildlife and the green belt