Here’s CONCH’s press statement:

VICTORY FOR COMMUNITY CAMPAIGNERS! – AS DIRTY COAL PLANS WITHDRAWN

With 22,000 people having lodged objections, Ayrshire Power’s plans for a dirty coal-fire station at Hunterston were the most unpopular in Scottish planning history. A mere two weeks after Ayrshire Power’s first public meeting with opposition groups at the recent launch of the public inquiry, they finally bowed to public pressure and withdrew their plans. Communities Opposed to New Coal at Hunterston (CONCH) who have been campaigning for over 3 years, gave their reaction:

Tim Cowen, co-chair of CONCH said

“We are absolutely thrilled and relieved by this news. This is a testimony to the hard work and determination of ordinary people who have united in opposition against dirty coal. Coal is not clean and never will be and should play no part in Scotland’s future energy mix. Ayrshire Power’s plans would’ve had huge repercussions locally, nationally and internationally – in relation to climate change, public health, human rights and so much more.”

Maggie Kelly, co-chair added

“When these plans were first announced, many people said we don’t agree with it but let’s face it, this is a done deal. People felt powerless in the face of such a powerful multinational company. This is a victory for ordinary people who took on the might of a huge company and won. It’s a great day for everyone who is fighting for environmental and social justice.”


CONCH will be having celebration drinks this Friday.

For more info see  http://conchcampaign.org/


*Want to take action against more new coal in the UK? Come to Take Back the Land! - an action camp against new coal in the Douglas Valley, South Lanarkshire, 12-18 July*

 http://takebacktheland.org.uk/