5th Review of Opencast Sites: Oct 2012
steve46leary@googlemail.com (Steve Leary ) | 03.10.2012 14:55
This 5th review of news stories about prospective opencast site applications on 14 possible sites in england and 4 sites in Wales. It especially has news about recent developments at Halton Lea Gate and the Hilltop Project
REVIEW OF INFORMATION ON ENGLISH OPENCAST SITES AND ONE WELSH SITE ACTIVELY UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR SEPTEMBER 2012
NEW 2012 SERIES: No 5 OCTOBER 2012
The way to read each entry is as follows:
Site Name, Location, Planning Authority, Position in the Planning System (either, in the main, Scoping Inquiry, Application Submitted, Application Approved), the name of the Applicant / Operator and the estimated amount of coal to be extracted.
BIRKLANDS, (nr .Marley Hill, Gateshead), (Gateshead: Reference No DC/11/00687/MIN) (Application) (Hall Construction Services) (275,000)
‘Opencast, the threat returns’ (local action group) (no date)
Not a news story, but an on line petition that can be signed to show opposition to open casting at this proposed 275,000 tonne site. See
http://www.savebirklands.org.uk/
You can read this application and still make comments here:
http://public.gateshead.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do;jsessionid=DE0DA6F1C3739817D51414835242B0FC?action=firstPageNo
No New News on this Application
BRADLEY (nr. Consett) (Co Durham) (Judicial Review) (UK Coal) (500,000)
No news on when the Judicial Review will begin.
DEARNE LEA, WEST CLAYTON (S.E. of Huddersfield) (Kirklees Council: Reference No. 2012/62/9113/ED) (Application) (George Harrison Ltd) (190,000)
No new news on this Application
To contact the Skelmansthorpe Communituy Action Group see:
http://www.skelmanthorpeaction.org.uk/contact.html
For more details on the Application and the possibility to make a comment, go to:
http://www2.kirklees.gov.uk/business/planning/application_search/detail.aspx?id=2012/91131
FERNEYBEDS, WIDDRINGTON STATION (8 miles NW of Ashington) (Northumberland County Council) (Scoping Inquiry) (Banks Group) (750,000) No new news on this Application
GEORGE FARM (nr. Smalley, Derbyshire) (Derbyshire County Council: Ref No. CM6/1110/112) (Application) (LEM Resources) (400,000)
No new news on this Application
For more details on the Application and the possibility to make a comment go to:
The Smalley Action Group has now set up a petition where you can register your objection to the Application. See
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Smalley-opencast/
HAGUE FARM (?) off Hague Lane nr Renishaw, Derbyshire
UK Coal has put this site up for sale. The particulars indicate that they are seeking a partner to help ‘develop’ (work the site as a surface mine) within 5 years. Site particulars are available here @
http://www.smithsgore.co.uk/property-for-sale-land-and-energy-portfolio-2320120
HALTON LEA GATE (c 5 miles SW of Haltwhistle) (Northumberland County Council) (Public Inquiry) (HM Developments) (140,000)
It was reported on the 9//8/12 that a Planning Inspector had, after a Public Inquiry, upheld an appeal by HM Developments to grant planning permission. Local residents are exploring whether there are grounds for a Judicial Review.
If you are looking for how to contribute to the cost of the Judicial Review or sign the e petition to the Government please see the box at the end of this section.
‘Opencast Dismay’ (The Whitehaven News, 3/9/12)
A letter from Val Barnes of the Whittonstall Action Group, expressing dismay at the Halton Lea Gate Public Inquiry decision and pointing out the implications of the decisions for other communities in Northumberland. See
http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/opencast-dismay-1.991515?referrerPath=2.1681
‘Mine ruling will open floodgates warn villagers’ (Hexham Courant 3/9/12)
Latest news on the response of local people to the Inspectors decision and at what stage their plans are to mount a Judicial Review. See
‘New campaign to kill off coal mine’ (Cumberland News 14/9/12)
A brief explanation of why the local people are going to undertake a judicial review and invite the BBC Countryfile programme to the village and report on their situation. See
http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk/news/new-campaign-to-kill-off-coal-mine-1.995715?referrerPath=news
‘Halton Lea Gate Anti Opencast Campaigners hire top lawyer’ (Journal, 15/9/12)
News that a Solicitor with a national reputation, Phil Shiner of the Public Interest Lawyers Group has been hired to take on the case of preparing a case for Judicial Review. See
‘£20,000 target set for opencast fighting fund’ (News and Star, 17/9/12)
A report that the local residents, led by Harleyburn Parish Councillors are dipping into their own pockets to raise funds. They are also now making a public appeal. In addition they are to team up with the Whittonstall Action Group ( see section on the Hoodsclose Application. See
‘North Cumbrian mine will bring benefits’ says firm (Cumberland News, 28 /9/12)
Mr D Bridgewood from HM Project Development’s Agents reiterates the claimed benefits that the Halton Lea Gate mine will bring to the area. He reassures people that the site will not be used for landfill and that
“.... but the impact will be very small and in most instances barely noticeable. It will be the aim of the company to maintain a positive working relationship with residents, addressing any concerns as quickly as possible,” he added.” See
COMMENT: This news story looks as though it has been ‘planted’ in advance of the BBC 1 Countryfile programme to be broadcast on 30/9/12. This is the first mention of landfill in any news item to do with this application that I have read, which makes the mere mention of it look suspicious. As for working with local people and addressing any concerns, did Mr Bridgewood know much about the history of those associated with this Company and their relationship with local people? The following news stories indicate that Mr Murphy is inclined to lose his temper and that the site of the proposed mine, Halten Lea Farm, when still owned by the present owner, was found to be hosting the growing of cannabis. See
‘Confrontation after Halton Lea Gate Mining plan refusal’ ( Journal, 4/5/2011) @
‘Crash led police to Cannabis Factory’, (originally in the Journal 8/7/2007) @
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Crash+led+police+to+cannabis+factory.-a0167326753
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To contrite to the cost of fighting a Judicial Review, please make cheques payable to
North Pennine Protection Group, Account no:01014587, Sort code: 40-23-06 and send to: 5 High Midgeholme, Brampton, Cumbria. CA8 7LT
To sign an e petition to the Government opposing similar applications, please sign the ‘STOP OPENCAST MINING NEAR RURAL COMMUNITIES petition at:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/36985
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Also see Extra Section below.
HELL LANE, nr Normanton, Wakefield, Sth Yorkshire
UK Coal has put this site up for sale. The particulars indicate that they are seeking a partner to help ‘develop’ (work the site as a surface mine) within 5 years. Site particulars are available here @
http://www.smithsgore.co.uk/property-for-sale-south-yorkshire-2320118
HILLTOP PROJECT (nr. Clay Cross, Derbyshire) (Derbyshire County Council) ( Scoping Inquiry) (Provectus Remediation) (130,000)
Provectus Remediation has indicated that they are intending to submit a plan to mine 130,000 tonnes of coal from a 30 hectare site over a 30 month period.
‘Coal march /demo Derbyshire’ (Nottingham Indymedia, 9/9/12)
Hilltop Action Group are organising a march against this proposed development. See
http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/events/2774
‘Hundreds set to march against Mining plan’ (Derbyshire Times, 21/9/12)
A report on the expected turn out at a protest march around the proposed Hilltop site to be held on 23/9/12. See
http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/local/hundreds-set-to-march-against-mining-plan-1-4939299
‘Hundreds march against mining plan – SEE VIDEO’ (Derbyshire Times, 24/9/12)
A report on the Protest march and how many turned up plus comments from some of the participants. See
http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/local/hundreds-march-against-mining-plans-see-video-1-4953296
‘Hill Top Group Protest Against Opencast Mine’ (BBC News Derby, 22/9/12)
Another report on the march with pictures. See
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-19685962
The Hilltop Action Group has also made their own video of the Protest march ‘Hilltop Project Against Opencast Mining which you can view here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZffYBtT5d_E
To keep in touch with the protest campaign, go to
HOODSCLOSE Whittonstall (Northumberland County Council) (Application) (UK Coal) (500,000)
UK Coal hopes to extract 2.2m tonnes of coal and 500,000 tonnes of fireclay over a seven year period. The Scoping Inquiry state began soon after August 2009 with an application following in 2010. This is still a live application.
’80 Jobs promise’ (Hexham Courant, 10/9/12)
Brief article which summarises some of the arguments UK Coal are putting forwards to support their application. See
http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/news-at-a-glance/80-jobs-promised-1.993854?referrerPath=news
You can find further information and make a make a comment here:
You can also contact the Whittonstall Action Group here:
http://www.whittonstallactiongroup.co.uk/who.php
MINORCA NORTH (Leicestershire, Leicestershire County Council, UK Coal, Amount of estimated coal reserves not published, Stage: Exploratory Drilling)
No new news on this site
SCHOOLHOUSE LANE off A692 nr Marley Hill , Co Durham
UK Coal has put this site up for sale. The particulars indicate that they are seeking a partner to help ‘develop’ (work the site as a surface mine) within 5 years. Site particulars are available here @
http://www.findaproperty.com/investment/property-10856569
SHORTWOOD FARM (Trowel, nr Nottingham, Nottinghamshire) (Application) (UK Coal) (1.275,000)
UK Coal has applied to mine 1,275,000 tonnes of coal over a 5yr period on a Greenfield site.
No new news on this Application
To send a letter opposing this application, go to:
http://www.trowell.org.uk/shortwood-open-cast-mining-application-letter-writing-campaign/out
There is now a local group formed to oppose this application, the Shortwood Farm Opencast Opposition. It is contactable via soco..opencast@gmail.com
To find out more about the Application see:
http://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/planningsearch/plandisp.aspx?AppNo=ES/2569
MARLEY HILL COLLIERY RECLAMATION (Sunnyside, Gateshead (Co Durham also affected), (Scoping Enquiry) (UK Coal) (c 1.0m)
No recent news about this proposed development.
NEWS ON WELSH APPLICATIONS
NEW : THE BRITISH IN TALYWAIN, (Torfaen) (Pre Scoping Inquiry)( HSBC) (No public estimate of of coal reserves)
THIS SITE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE AUGUST REVIEW
‘Talks carry on over regeneration for British Talywain’ (South Wales Argus, 17/7/12)
This is a report of a secret meeting between Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank (currently the sites owner), The Welsh government and Torfaen Council about plans to restore this 1,300 acre site. The plans could include opencasting the site for 5 years . See
‘British redevelopment proposals’ (Torfaen Talks, p 7, August 2012)
Torfaen Council reports on the proposed redevelopment . The Council promises to set up public meetings, road shows and create a Liaison Group as the plans develop. Any scheme would need the final approval of the Council. See
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1xryd/TorfaenTalksAugust20/resources/7.htm
‘Meeting to discuss Talwain’s British site’ (Free Press, 13/9/12)
A public Meeting has been called by the Liaison Committee for 7.00pm at the Old Age Pensioners Hall in Talywain to discuss new plans for the site. Torfaen’s Chief Officer for Planning and Public Protection, Duncan Smith, is to be a guest speaker. See http://www.freepressseries.co.uk/news/9927766.Meeting_to_discuss_Talywain_s_British_site/
BRYN DEFAID, LLWYDCOED (Rhondda Cynon Taf Council) (Scoping Inquiry)
(Celtic Energy) (1.2m tonnes)
No new news on this site
NEW NANT HELEN REMAINDER ( Onllyn, Neath- Port Talbot) (Powys Council) (Application) (Celtic Energy), (1.9m tonnes)
Surface miner Celtic Energy want to mine on this site for a further 4.5 years, on a site they have been working since 2002.
‘Our Proposals for the Nant Helen Remainder’ (Celtic Energy)
http://www.coal.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/celtic-energy-bannerstands.pdf
‘Jobs hope with mine extension’ (This is South Wales, 15/3/11)
News article on the submission of a planning application. See
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Jobs-hope-extension/story-12439822-detail/story.html
NANT LLESG, GWENT (Gwent) (Scoping Inquiry) (Miller Argent) (9.0m)
Surface miner Miller Argent have announced their intention to submit a planning application for a 9.0m tonne opencast site at Nant Llesg, No new news.
EXTRA – HOW THE MINERALS INDUSTRY REACTED TO THE HALTON LEA GATE DECISION
I’ve now been able to catch up with how the Planning Inspector’s Approval decision was greeted by the Minerals Extraction Industry. Here are some media stories
‘Landmark planning appeal is a big thumbs up for mineral extraction’ (Development Control Solutions / Mineral Planning, 16/8/12)
It quotes from Bridgewood, from Wardle Armstrong (see last months review) but here has him adding
"This is not a blanket permission and doesn’t give the green light to open-cast mining generally. But it shows that where you can satisfy landscape, ecological and visual impacts you have a very strong case." See
http://www.dcservices.co.uk/news/1145859/landmark-planning-appeal-big-thumbs-up-mineral-extraction/
‘Green Light for Halton Lea Gate’ (Environmental Industry Magazine, undated)
More of the same with some additional information about the significance of the decision
“ The appeal was made following the refusal of a resubmission to Northumberland County Council, and is the first to be determined since the introduction of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) earlier this year. Engineering and environmental consultancy Wardell Armstrong handled the appeal, and helped to answer some of the objections raised against the original submission.”
And further comments from Mr Bridgewood
“He (the Inspector) has also accepted that there are sustainability benefits in working coal domestically, rather than relying on coal imports.
"This makes perfect sense when you consider that up to 52% of our UK electricity still comes from coal in winter - a period when many renewable resources are less productive - and that the transport emissions related to bringing coal from Russia are ten times higher than working it domestically." See
http://www.environmentmagazine.co.uk/latest-news/1117-green-light-for-halton-lea-gate
COMMENT. This is confirmation that the Minerals Industry also thinks that this is a landmark decision and the first of its kind to be made under the new NPPF rules. They must be satisfied that all the lobbying the Industry did prior to the last General Election to modify planning rules in relation to Mineral Planning has now paid off. I did a study of this for the Minorca Opencast Protest Group following the Parliamentary Debate on Andrew Bridgen’s 500m Buffer Zone Bill as E2 ‘Energy Policy and the National Planning Policy Framework and the Minorca Application’ which is available here:
http://www.leicestershirevillages.com/measham/mopg-briefing-notes-series.html
SCOTTISH NEWS EXTRA 1 :THE LOCHINVAR DEVELOPMMENT
‘Licence granted for massive mine’ (Eskdale and Liddersdale Advertiser, 20/9/12)
Part of a news story on the possible development of a new deep mine by New Age Developments,which will try to recover between 330 - 410m m/tonnes of coal. See
http://www.eladvertiser.co.uk/news/licence-granted-for-massive-mine-1.997758?referrerPath=home
COMMENT:For more information read these pages from the Company’s own web site:
http://nae.net.au/projects/united-kingdom/lochinvar/
http://nae.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/12.06.12-Lochinvar-Announcement-Final.pdf
SCOTTISH NEWS EXTRA 2: REVIEW OF THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL POLICY FRAMEWORK
The Scottish Government announced on that it was to start a review of the planning framework for Scotland, the Scottish National Policy Framework. Here are some key linking pages that explain why the review is being undertaken and the Review Timetable:
Rationale:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/National-Planning-Policy/npf/NPF3
Review Timetable
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/National-Planning-Policy/newSPP
COMMENT: This could be important to all groups opposing opencast mine applications. If this review weakens Scotland’s version of the 500m Buffer Zone then eventually, it might be cited as a reason to weaken Welsh policy and not introduce such a policy into England. If anyone wants to take on the task of monitoring what is happening and preparing a LAON statement, should this be necessary, let me know.
© Steve Leary
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steve46leary@googlemail.com (Steve Leary )
http://nottingham.indymedia.org.uk/articles/2849
