Minister’s block on mine at coastal site set to be challenged by company

A MINING firm will challenge Secretary of State Sajid Javid’s decision to block plans for an open cast coal mine on a tranquil stretch of coastline.

Bosses at Banks Mining believe they have a strong legal case for their proposal at Druridge Bay, Northumberland, because it was backed by the county council’s planning committee and by a Government inspector at a public inquiry.

Objectors were jubilant last month when the Communities Secretary announced he would not let the mine – expected to extract 3m tonnes of material – go ahead, amid fears about climate change caused by fossil fuels.

At the time Friends of the Earth called it a “significant victory” as it was the first time a mine had been turned down based on climate change. Banks Mining has informed Mr Javid it will challenge the decision in the High Court, claiming “serious errors in the legal basis on which it was made”.

Managing director Gavin Styles said the decision could have unintended consequences for other industries, such as oil, gas and shale gas, and even major infrastructure developments like road or rail projects.

He recognised the need to manage a stable transfer to a lowcarbon economy but said there was still a need for coal during the phase-out, and added the country was reliant on US and Russian imports.

The bay is a regional beauty spot and attracts an annual gathering of skinny dippers. Local protesters said the plans would have affected otters, dolphins and pink-footed geese.