Environmental campaigners are once more celebrating, after the controversial proposals for a brand new coal mine in Cumbria obtained what could possibly be a “knock-out blow” from the Coal Authority.
The federal government-backed company yesterday confirmed it had refused to grant conditional underground coal mining licences to developer West Cumbria Mining Ltd for the proposed challenge.
The choice follows sizzling on the heels of a Excessive Court docket ruling earlier this month that the planning permission for the challenge granted by the earlier authorities was illegal, because it didn’t adequately contemplate the local weather affect from the coal mined on the web site.
The present authorities didn’t contest the case and won’t enchantment towards the ruling. West Cumbria Mining, the corporate behind the event, has but to say whether or not it intends to enchantment towards the choice. Â
Nevertheless, Tony Bosworth, power campaigner at Pals of the Earth, which led the authorized motion towards the mine alongside marketing campaign group South Lakes Motion on Local weather Change (SLACC), mentioned the Coal Authority’s refusal to grant a license for the challenge “is unquestionably the knock-out blow for this completely pointless coal mine”.
“Reasonably than staggering on, it is time for West Cumbria Mining to throw within the towel,” he mentioned. “The federal government should now work with native councils, companies and the group to place West Cumbria on the coronary heart of the inexperienced transition and provides the area the funding, alternatives and jobs it desperately wants.”
Maggie Mason at SLACC mentioned the group was “very happy to see that the Coal Authority licences for West Cumbria Mining at Whitehaven haven’t been authorized”.
“Now could be the time for native and central authorities to work collectively for sustainable jobs and a clear wholesome setting within the space,” she added. Â
West Cumbria Mining was contacted for remark.
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