Protesters are appealing for support in defending the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural beauty, which is under threat from UK COal's Huntington Lane opencast coal mine. Campaigners from various groups opposed to the surface mine in Telford were disappointed to discover yesterday that a large number of trees on site have already been felled.

The 230 acre site is part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is also home to the protected scheduled New Works Ancient Monument. After strong local opposition the application was submitted to a planning inspectorate and late last year the Secretary of State, John Denham found in favour of UK Coal and the open cast coal mine was approved.

On Saturday 6th March campaigners embarked on a whistle-stop tour of Telford, displaying a large 'No New Coal' banner at some of the towns landmarks. See more about this here:  http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2010/03/447076.html?c=on#c244152 . Upon visiting the site on Sunday 7th they were shocked to discover that a large number of trees had already been felled, implying that operations will be commencing imminently.

To offer your support please contact  defendhuntingtonlane@hushmail.com