New opencast ‘threat’ to beach beauty spot

AN OPENCAST coal mine could be built next to one of Northumberland’s most beautiful beaches after the Court of Appeal overturned a government decision to block the scheme.

Banks Mining applied for permission to mine three million tons of coal, sandstone and fireclay from an 800acre site at Druridge Bay in 2015, but after protests and a government inquiry, it was shelved in March.

Sajid Javid, the Home Secretary, made that decision as communities secretary on the grounds of climate change. But Banks appealed, saying that his arguments were “irrational”.

Now the decision will be referred to James Brokenshire, the current Communities Secretary.

Banks claims its proposal will bring 100 jobs and add £87million to the local economy.

Locals near the beach, in the heart of the former Northumberland coalfield, say opencast mining will damage health and spoil a beauty spot which is surrounded by nature reserves and home to some of Britain’s rarest birds.

A spokesman for The Durham Miners’ Association said: “Our members have given their lifetime and, quite often, their health to the winning of coal.

“There is no reason to support any opencast application which disrupts their later years or the lives children and grandchildren.”

Banks currently operates three opencast projects across the North East, with the planned Highthorn site at Druridge Bay being its latest venture.

The Coal Action Network says opencast mining is far more locally destructive than deep mining, damaging ecosystems, watercourses and soil. of their

“This releases dust, including toxic particles, into the atmosphere and over people’s homes, so residents are at risk of the sort of respiratory diseases previously only seen in miners themselves,” a spokesman added.

Simon Bowen, a Friends of the Earth campaigner, said Mr Javid’s original intervention was “the right decision for the right reason”.

“Since then, the case for ending our dependence on fossil fuels has only grown stronger,” he added. “James Brokenshire must take heed of the science and reject this destructive proposal. All opencast schemes should be banned by the Government, and space should be made instead for a lowcarbon future.”

A spokesman for Mr Brokenshire and his department said the Secretary of State “notes the High Court’s decision and is considering his response”.

Mr Brokenshire has already refused to revoke planning permission at a CoDurham site where Banks has plans.

Campaigners against the mine said they would “almost certainly” appeal against the court decision.