Javid blocks plans for North East coal mine

COMMUNITIES Secretary Sajid Javid has denied permission to build a new coal mine in Northumberland, overruling the wishes of the local council and the recommendation of his own planning inspector.

The politician said the proposed opencast Highthorn mine, near Druridge Bay, would have a “very substantial” impact on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and on the character of the landscape. Mr Javid also found that “the proposal would not represent sustainable development”.

Developer Banks Mining had said the mine would be a source of 3m tons of coal over 10 years that would otherwise be imported, creating 100 jobs and generating £87m for the local area.

But campaigners argued that the mine would cause “massive environmental destruction right next to one of Northumberland’s most beautiful and loved beaches”. The mine, which would have been the largest opencast site in the UK, was approved by Northumberland County Council and backed by planning inspector John Woolcock, before being called in for review by the secretary of state last year.

While acknowledging the environmental impact of the mine, the inspector had noted “a ‘window’ currently exists to use Highthorn coal”, before coal plants are phased out in 2025 under the Government’s existing energy policy. Gavin Styles, managing director at Banks, criticised the Government’s “absolutely perverse decision”.

“The UK is still dependent on coal for a number of purposes, and at a time of great economic uncertainty, we firmly believe that the importance of securing investment in north-east England, creating dozens of high-quality local jobs and opening up opportunities for regional suppliers to win substantial contracts, could not be any clearer,” he added.