Members of Whitehaven Town Council are spearheading the campaign in the hope of pushing the application through. A public inquiry will be held later this year after a decision from the Secretary of State for Local Government to call in the plans. Mayor of Whitehaven Brian O’Kane, one of the councillors behind the petition, said: “The council have supported the mine from the initial application. The majority of councillors are in favour. “The situation seems to have got out of hand. The benefits of the mine are being ignored by people who have an agenda.” Coun O’Kane said members had held a number of meetings to discuss how they could show their support for the plans.