Cumbria County Council puts plans for controversial coal mine on hold
After much criticism of its decision to approve the UK s first deep coal mine in more than 30 years, Cumbria County Council has confirmed that it will reconsider the move.
Pictured: An artist s impression of the completed mine. Image: West Cumbria Mining Company
The County Council approved plans put forward by West Cumbria Mining (WCM) for a new mine near Whitehaven late last year. The local authority was warned that the Government had the right to call in the decision under planning laws but Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick confirmed in January that this course of action would not be taken.
Kwasi Kwarteng admits tension between UK s new coal mine and climate ambitions
BEIS Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has admitted that the Government s decision not to intervene with the planning process for a new coal mine in Cumbria is at odds with its domestic climate targets and the messages it wants to send as COP26 host.
Pictured: An artist s impression of the completed mine. Image: West Cumbria Mining Company
Speaking to members of the BEIS Select Committee this morning (19 January), Kwarteng was asked whether he was part of any discussions with colleagues or with Cumbria County Council over recent movements in the case of a new mine for metallurgical coal in Whitehaven.
Cumbria coal mine: Government won t block UK s first deep coal mine in three decades
Despite pressure from green groups, the UK Government has said it will not intervene in Cumbria County Council s decision to approve a deep coal mine in Whitehaven - the first facility of its kind to gain planning approval in 30 years.
Image: West Cumbria Mining Company
The County Council approved plans put forward by West Cumbria Mining (WCM) late last year, but was told that the Government had the right to call in the decision under planning laws. In a statement on Wednesday (6 January), the local authority said it had received confirmation from Whitehall that this course of action would not be taken.