The UK government is currently deciding whether to give the go-ahead to seven new coal fired power stations, the first for 30 years, including two in Scotland at Longannet in Fife and Cockenzie in East Lothian, and recently a third has been proposed on the site of the Hunterston nuclear reactor.
To feed the drive for coal, the government is overruling local councils and its own
stated policies to approve new opencast coal mines, with a possible 33 - at the last count - on top of the 30 already operating. This represents a massive new wave of carbon emissions, an appalling example to other countries and misery for the people who have to live with new coal as a bad neighbour. If all the applications for new mines are approved, the fastest expansion of UK coal mining in 40 years could see southern Scotland become the most heavily mined region in Europe.
New Coal in Scotland
Scotland will bear the brunt of the expansion. Currently 18 mines produce over 5m tonnes of coal a year. A further 18 mines could extract a further 22m tonnes of coal over just a few years. Many of these have already been approved and the rest are awaiting planning decisions. There is a clear contradiction between the Scottish government's 80% target for climate change emissions cuts and investment in new coal.
Open Cast Coal Mines
Application Expected:
Name: Airfield Farm/Cousland
Location: Cousland, Midlothian
Size: 2,000,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Comments: Scoping document was filed June 2008. No
planning application yet. A consultation meeting that Scottish
Coal held in Cousland attracted 120 people who were virtually
unanimous in their opposition to the open cast coal mine, on
the grounds that it would impact on wildlife, the environment,
air quality, noise and the landscape. Extraction over a 5 year
period, and will go to Cockenzie coal-fired power station to
lessen dependence on coal imports. Scottish Coal were
reluctant to comment on sulphur levels in the coal.
Scoping Report:
http://www.scottishcoal.co.uk/airfield.html
Name: Dunstonhill
Location: near Patna, East Ayrshire
Size: 1,648,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Comments: Company currently preparing a planning
application. The site covers an area of 1,208 ha, now largely a
forested upland area. The site will provide continued
employment for the existing work force of 128 at the
Chalmerston/Pennyvenie opencast coal site. The coal will be
transported from the site via an overland conveyor, back to
the existing rail loading facility at Chalmerston, located to the
north of Dalmellington, for onward dispatch to
market by rail.
Scoping Report: http://www.scottishcoal.co.uk/projects.htm
Approved Sites:
Name: Auchencorth Moss
Location: Deepsyke Forest, Penicuik, Scottish Borders
Size: 450,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 06/00084/MINCON
Comments: Planning permission approved in December
2007 with no environmental impact assessment.
Name: Dalmellington
Location: Dalmellington, Ayrshire
Size: 90,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 07/0448/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved in August 2007
Name: Greenburn (North Extension)
Location: near New Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Size: 200,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Kier Construction Ltd
Planning Reference: 07/0211/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved in February 2008
(BERR approved in August 2007)
Name: Greenburn (North East Extension)
Location: near New Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Size: 80,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Kier Construction Ltd
Planning Reference: 07/0745/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved in February 2008
(BERR approved in November 2007)
Name: Burnston/House of Water (Extension)
Location: New Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Size: 1,500,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 06/0548/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved by council subject
to Section 75 agreement (BERR approved March 2007)
Name: Chalmerston North/Pennyvenie (Extension)
Location: nr Dalmellington, Ayrshire
Size: 1,020,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 06/0685/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved by council subject
to Section 75 agreement (BERR approved March 2007)
Sites Awaiting Approval:
Name: Nettly Burn, Saline
Location: Dunfermline, Fife
Size: 470,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 04/01833/WEIA
Comments: Applied for planning permission in May 2004 –
application appears to have been withdrawn.
Name: Blair Farm
Location: Oakley, Fife
Size: 720,000 tonnes of coal
Company: UK Coal
Planning Reference: 08/00607/WEIA
Comments: Applied for planning permission in February
2008. Awaiting decision.
Name: Rusha Farm
Location: nr West Calder, West Lothian
Size: 1,500,000 tonnes of coal
Company: H J Banks Developments
Planning Reference: 1199/M/07
Comments: Planning committee to consider it in March.
Name: Dalgig Extension
Location: Dalgig, East Ayrshire
Size: 1,500,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Kier Mining
Planning Reference: 06/0538/FL or 07/0908/FL
Comments: Original planning application approved subject to
section 75 approval (2.7 million tonnes), however a reduced
scheme was then submitted. Awaiting decision.
Name: Badallan Farm
Location: nr Shotts and Fauldhouse, North Lanarkshire
Size: 570,000 tonnes of coal
Company: LAW Mining Ltd
Planning Reference: S/02/00864/MIN
Comments: Awaiting decision.
Name: Headlesscross
Location: nr Shotts and Fauldhouse, North Lanarkshire
Size: 1,100,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: S/04/00727/MIN
Comments: Awaiting decision.
Name: Mainshill
Location: Douglas, South Lanarkshire
Size: 1,700,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: CL/08/0367
Comments: Planning permission granted in February 2009 to
mine over 3.5 years at the site which is currently largely
forest. The decision was rubber stamped by the Scottish
Government, final approval rests with the Section 75
agreement. There is a strong local campaign by Douglas
residents who are currently objecting to the plans and the site
was occupied by the Mainshill Solidarity Camp in June.
Name: Rigg
Location: Kirkonnel, East Ayrshire
Size: 1,300,000 tonnes of coal
Company: ATH Resources
Planning Reference: 07/P/3/0506
Comments: Applied for planning permission in August 2007.
Awaiting decision. Local councillors meeting in Dumfries have
recommended the plans to extract 1.3m tonnes of coal be
approved with a string of conditions. The final decision on the
project will now be delivered by the Scottish Government.
Name: Pool Farm
Location: Auchengray, South Lanarkshire
Size: 125,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: CL/02/0199
Comments: Application was registered April 2002, but
nothing appears to have happened since then.
Name: Glenmucklock (Extension)
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 700,000 tonnes of coal
Company: ATH Resources
Planning Reference: 07/P/3/0779
Comments: Applied for planning permission in December
2007. Awaiting decision.
Existing Sites:
Name: Glentaggart
Location: South Lanarkshire
Size: 200,000 tonnes per year
Company: Scottish Coal Co Ltd
Planning Reference:CL/08/0481(extension approved 5.1.09)
Comments: Employs around 37 staff and outputs
approximately 200,000 tonnes of coal per year.
An extension was recently approved. The coal moving
conveyor belt system at this site is one of the largest
conveyor systems in Europe and stretches for over 6.5km.
Claimed to have reduced the number of vehicle trips by over
30,000/year. The coal is loaded onto the conveyor at the mine
and then transported to a terminal at Midrig where it is loaded
on to HGVs and transported to the Ravenstruther Coal Rail
Terminal.
Name: Poniel/Long Plantation (Amendment)
Location: South Lanarkshire
Size: 570,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: CL/04/0877 (variations: CL/08/0630)
Comments: Planning permission approved in September
2007. Also known as Long Plantation. The extension was
opened end of August, planning permission granted end
June. Also a sand and gravel quarry at this site
(comparatively small). One road in ('Private Road') off the
roundabout. Around 5 HGVs (Anderson Transport Logistics)
per hour leave for the Ravenstruther Rail Terminal.
Name: Powharnal
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 600,000 tonnes per year
Company: Scottish Coal
Comments: Employs around 122 staff. Approximately 100
hectares of the site lies within the Muirkirk and North Lowther
Uplands Special Protection Area (SPA), designated for hen
harrier, short-eared owl, merlin, peregrine and golden plover.
Name: Wilsontown & extension
Location: Wilsontown, Forth, Lanarkshire
Size: extension: 30,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Hall Construction Services Limited
Planning Reference: CL/04/0365
Comments: Active, extension recently began.
Name: Spireslack/Grasshill
Location: Glenbuck, South Lanarkshire
Size: 250,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 07/0444/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved in August 2007.
Name: Broken Cross
Location: near Douglas Water, South
Lanarkshire
Company: Scottish Coal
Size: 4,000,000 tonnes (extensions)
Comments: Extended in 2006 by
Scottish Ministers following a lengthy
public enquiry forced by strong
opposition from local residents and 700 objections to the
plans. The Scottish Executive permission allows coal
extraction to carry on until 2018 with a 2020 deadline for final
restoration of the site. 720 HGV loads travel from the site to
the Ravenstruther coal depot every week.
Name: Grievehill
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 300,000 tonnes per year, 1,300,000 total
Company: ATH Resources Ltd (Aardvark TMC Ltd)
Comments: Employs around 37 staff. Uses Garleffan site,
entered production September 2005. Coal is transported to
the Crowbandsgate railhead in New Cumnock. The remaining
coal reserves are located within the North Lowther Uplands
Special Protection Area (SPA) which extends to 26,330 ha.
The SPA is underpinned by The Muirkirk Uplands SSSI. The
SPA/SSSI contains important bird habitat, supporting
breeding populations of Merlin, Peregrine, Short-eared Owl
and Golden Plover, and both winter and breeding populations
of Hen Harrier.
Name: Skares Road
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 200,000 tonnes per year, 4,500,000 total
Company: ATH Resources Ltd (Aardvark TMC Ltd)
Comments: Employs around 70 staff. Covers 600ha, open
until 2009. Will be restored to mixed grazing woodland with
some 25,000 trees planted.
Name: Greenbank (St Ninians)
Location: Fife
Size: 600,000 tonnes per year
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 69 staff.
Name: Greenburn Project
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 850,000 tonnes per year
Company: Kier Minerals Ltd
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 76 staff
Name: Chalmerston North (Glentaggart Extension)
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 550,000 tonnes per year
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 145 staff.
Name: Glenmuckloch
Location: Dumfries and Galloway
Size: 400,000 tonnes per year, 2,800,000 total
Company: ATH Resources Ltd (Aardvark TMC Ltd)
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 102 staff. Coal is transported to
the Crowbandsgate railhead by conveyor (see overland
conveyor belts). Production will last for 4 years and take 2
years to restore. Commenced operation summer 2006.
Name: Earlseat
Location: East Wemyss, Fife
Size: 250,000 tonnes per year
Company: Hall Construction services Ltd
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 41 staff.
Name: Grievehill (Extension); Change to Conditions
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 920,000 tonnes of coal; 370,000 tonnes of coal
Company: ATH Resources
Planning Reference: 06/1174/FL; 06/0537/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved by council subject
to Section 75 agreement (BERR approved November 2007).
Work started April 2008; Planning permission approved in
April 2007.
Name: Laigh Glenmuir
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 265,000 tonnes per year
Company: ATH Resources Ltd (Aardvark TMC Ltd)
Comments: Employs around 26 staff. The 48 hectare site lies
to the north of the Group’s Garleffan Site , and will utilise the
workforce, plant and processing facilities at Garleffan when
that site ceases production later this year. The coal extracted
from Laigh Glenmuir will service power generation, industrial
and domestic markets. 500,000 tonnes in total, coal
transported to Garleffan, entered production in 2006 for 2
years. An overland conveyor transports coal to railhead.
Name: Shewington
Location: Rosewell, Midlothian
Size: 550,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 05/00840/FUL
Comments: Original planning application for 750,000 tonnes.
The Community Council was generally opposed to this
development and others like it (such as a nearby sand and
gravel pit) as they saw it as the ongoing industrialisation of an
area that has had more than its fair share.
Name: Muir Dean
Location: Crossgates, Fife
Size: 2,000,000 tonnes of coal
Company: ATH Resources
Planning Reference: 05/03715/WEIA
Comments: Applied for planning permission in October 2005.
Refused by Council but appeal sustained subject to Section
75 – the decision by the local council to refuse the application
was overturned by the Scottish Government sparking anger in
Crossgates. Covers an area of 180ha of mixed farming and
woodlands. Will produce for over 4.5 years. Work started April
2008.
stated policies to approve new opencast coal mines, with a possible 33 - at the last count - on top of the 30 already operating. This represents a massive new wave of carbon emissions, an appalling example to other countries and misery for the people who have to live with new coal as a bad neighbour. If all the applications for new mines are approved, the fastest expansion of UK coal mining in 40 years could see southern Scotland become the most heavily mined region in Europe.
New Coal in Scotland
Scotland will bear the brunt of the expansion. Currently 18 mines produce over 5m tonnes of coal a year. A further 18 mines could extract a further 22m tonnes of coal over just a few years. Many of these have already been approved and the rest are awaiting planning decisions. There is a clear contradiction between the Scottish government's 80% target for climate change emissions cuts and investment in new coal.
Open Cast Coal Mines
Application Expected:
Name: Airfield Farm/Cousland
Location: Cousland, Midlothian
Size: 2,000,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Comments: Scoping document was filed June 2008. No
planning application yet. A consultation meeting that Scottish
Coal held in Cousland attracted 120 people who were virtually
unanimous in their opposition to the open cast coal mine, on
the grounds that it would impact on wildlife, the environment,
air quality, noise and the landscape. Extraction over a 5 year
period, and will go to Cockenzie coal-fired power station to
lessen dependence on coal imports. Scottish Coal were
reluctant to comment on sulphur levels in the coal.
Scoping Report:
http://www.scottishcoal.co.uk/airfield.html Name: Dunstonhill
Location: near Patna, East Ayrshire
Size: 1,648,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Comments: Company currently preparing a planning
application. The site covers an area of 1,208 ha, now largely a
forested upland area. The site will provide continued
employment for the existing work force of 128 at the
Chalmerston/Pennyvenie opencast coal site. The coal will be
transported from the site via an overland conveyor, back to
the existing rail loading facility at Chalmerston, located to the
north of Dalmellington, for onward dispatch to
market by rail.
Scoping Report:
http://www.scottishcoal.co.uk/projects.htm Approved Sites:
Name: Auchencorth Moss
Location: Deepsyke Forest, Penicuik, Scottish Borders
Size: 450,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 06/00084/MINCON
Comments: Planning permission approved in December
2007 with no environmental impact assessment.
Name: Dalmellington
Location: Dalmellington, Ayrshire
Size: 90,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 07/0448/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved in August 2007
Name: Greenburn (North Extension)
Location: near New Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Size: 200,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Kier Construction Ltd
Planning Reference: 07/0211/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved in February 2008
(BERR approved in August 2007)
Name: Greenburn (North East Extension)
Location: near New Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Size: 80,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Kier Construction Ltd
Planning Reference: 07/0745/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved in February 2008
(BERR approved in November 2007)
Name: Burnston/House of Water (Extension)
Location: New Cumnock, East Ayrshire
Size: 1,500,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 06/0548/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved by council subject
to Section 75 agreement (BERR approved March 2007)
Name: Chalmerston North/Pennyvenie (Extension)
Location: nr Dalmellington, Ayrshire
Size: 1,020,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 06/0685/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved by council subject
to Section 75 agreement (BERR approved March 2007)
Sites Awaiting Approval:
Name: Nettly Burn, Saline
Location: Dunfermline, Fife
Size: 470,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 04/01833/WEIA
Comments: Applied for planning permission in May 2004 –
application appears to have been withdrawn.
Name: Blair Farm
Location: Oakley, Fife
Size: 720,000 tonnes of coal
Company: UK Coal
Planning Reference: 08/00607/WEIA
Comments: Applied for planning permission in February
2008. Awaiting decision.
Name: Rusha Farm
Location: nr West Calder, West Lothian
Size: 1,500,000 tonnes of coal
Company: H J Banks Developments
Planning Reference: 1199/M/07
Comments: Planning committee to consider it in March.
Name: Dalgig Extension
Location: Dalgig, East Ayrshire
Size: 1,500,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Kier Mining
Planning Reference: 06/0538/FL or 07/0908/FL
Comments: Original planning application approved subject to
section 75 approval (2.7 million tonnes), however a reduced
scheme was then submitted. Awaiting decision.
Name: Badallan Farm
Location: nr Shotts and Fauldhouse, North Lanarkshire
Size: 570,000 tonnes of coal
Company: LAW Mining Ltd
Planning Reference: S/02/00864/MIN
Comments: Awaiting decision.
Name: Headlesscross
Location: nr Shotts and Fauldhouse, North Lanarkshire
Size: 1,100,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: S/04/00727/MIN
Comments: Awaiting decision.
Name: Mainshill
Location: Douglas, South Lanarkshire
Size: 1,700,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: CL/08/0367
Comments: Planning permission granted in February 2009 to
mine over 3.5 years at the site which is currently largely
forest. The decision was rubber stamped by the Scottish
Government, final approval rests with the Section 75
agreement. There is a strong local campaign by Douglas
residents who are currently objecting to the plans and the site
was occupied by the Mainshill Solidarity Camp in June.
Name: Rigg
Location: Kirkonnel, East Ayrshire
Size: 1,300,000 tonnes of coal
Company: ATH Resources
Planning Reference: 07/P/3/0506
Comments: Applied for planning permission in August 2007.
Awaiting decision. Local councillors meeting in Dumfries have
recommended the plans to extract 1.3m tonnes of coal be
approved with a string of conditions. The final decision on the
project will now be delivered by the Scottish Government.
Name: Pool Farm
Location: Auchengray, South Lanarkshire
Size: 125,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: CL/02/0199
Comments: Application was registered April 2002, but
nothing appears to have happened since then.
Name: Glenmucklock (Extension)
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 700,000 tonnes of coal
Company: ATH Resources
Planning Reference: 07/P/3/0779
Comments: Applied for planning permission in December
2007. Awaiting decision.
Existing Sites:
Name: Glentaggart
Location: South Lanarkshire
Size: 200,000 tonnes per year
Company: Scottish Coal Co Ltd
Planning Reference:CL/08/0481(extension approved 5.1.09)
Comments: Employs around 37 staff and outputs
approximately 200,000 tonnes of coal per year.
An extension was recently approved. The coal moving
conveyor belt system at this site is one of the largest
conveyor systems in Europe and stretches for over 6.5km.
Claimed to have reduced the number of vehicle trips by over
30,000/year. The coal is loaded onto the conveyor at the mine
and then transported to a terminal at Midrig where it is loaded
on to HGVs and transported to the Ravenstruther Coal Rail
Terminal.
Name: Poniel/Long Plantation (Amendment)
Location: South Lanarkshire
Size: 570,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: CL/04/0877 (variations: CL/08/0630)
Comments: Planning permission approved in September
2007. Also known as Long Plantation. The extension was
opened end of August, planning permission granted end
June. Also a sand and gravel quarry at this site
(comparatively small). One road in ('Private Road') off the
roundabout. Around 5 HGVs (Anderson Transport Logistics)
per hour leave for the Ravenstruther Rail Terminal.
Name: Powharnal
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 600,000 tonnes per year
Company: Scottish Coal
Comments: Employs around 122 staff. Approximately 100
hectares of the site lies within the Muirkirk and North Lowther
Uplands Special Protection Area (SPA), designated for hen
harrier, short-eared owl, merlin, peregrine and golden plover.
Name: Wilsontown & extension
Location: Wilsontown, Forth, Lanarkshire
Size: extension: 30,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Hall Construction Services Limited
Planning Reference: CL/04/0365
Comments: Active, extension recently began.
Name: Spireslack/Grasshill
Location: Glenbuck, South Lanarkshire
Size: 250,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 07/0444/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved in August 2007.
Name: Broken Cross
Location: near Douglas Water, South
Lanarkshire
Company: Scottish Coal
Size: 4,000,000 tonnes (extensions)
Comments: Extended in 2006 by
Scottish Ministers following a lengthy
public enquiry forced by strong
opposition from local residents and 700 objections to the
plans. The Scottish Executive permission allows coal
extraction to carry on until 2018 with a 2020 deadline for final
restoration of the site. 720 HGV loads travel from the site to
the Ravenstruther coal depot every week.
Name: Grievehill
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 300,000 tonnes per year, 1,300,000 total
Company: ATH Resources Ltd (Aardvark TMC Ltd)
Comments: Employs around 37 staff. Uses Garleffan site,
entered production September 2005. Coal is transported to
the Crowbandsgate railhead in New Cumnock. The remaining
coal reserves are located within the North Lowther Uplands
Special Protection Area (SPA) which extends to 26,330 ha.
The SPA is underpinned by The Muirkirk Uplands SSSI. The
SPA/SSSI contains important bird habitat, supporting
breeding populations of Merlin, Peregrine, Short-eared Owl
and Golden Plover, and both winter and breeding populations
of Hen Harrier.
Name: Skares Road
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 200,000 tonnes per year, 4,500,000 total
Company: ATH Resources Ltd (Aardvark TMC Ltd)
Comments: Employs around 70 staff. Covers 600ha, open
until 2009. Will be restored to mixed grazing woodland with
some 25,000 trees planted.
Name: Greenbank (St Ninians)
Location: Fife
Size: 600,000 tonnes per year
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 69 staff.
Name: Greenburn Project
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 850,000 tonnes per year
Company: Kier Minerals Ltd
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 76 staff
Name: Chalmerston North (Glentaggart Extension)
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 550,000 tonnes per year
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 145 staff.
Name: Glenmuckloch
Location: Dumfries and Galloway
Size: 400,000 tonnes per year, 2,800,000 total
Company: ATH Resources Ltd (Aardvark TMC Ltd)
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 102 staff. Coal is transported to
the Crowbandsgate railhead by conveyor (see overland
conveyor belts). Production will last for 4 years and take 2
years to restore. Commenced operation summer 2006.
Name: Earlseat
Location: East Wemyss, Fife
Size: 250,000 tonnes per year
Company: Hall Construction services Ltd
Planning Reference: Unknown
Comments: Employs around 41 staff.
Name: Grievehill (Extension); Change to Conditions
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 920,000 tonnes of coal; 370,000 tonnes of coal
Company: ATH Resources
Planning Reference: 06/1174/FL; 06/0537/FL
Comments: Planning permission approved by council subject
to Section 75 agreement (BERR approved November 2007).
Work started April 2008; Planning permission approved in
April 2007.
Name: Laigh Glenmuir
Location: East Ayrshire
Size: 265,000 tonnes per year
Company: ATH Resources Ltd (Aardvark TMC Ltd)
Comments: Employs around 26 staff. The 48 hectare site lies
to the north of the Group’s Garleffan Site , and will utilise the
workforce, plant and processing facilities at Garleffan when
that site ceases production later this year. The coal extracted
from Laigh Glenmuir will service power generation, industrial
and domestic markets. 500,000 tonnes in total, coal
transported to Garleffan, entered production in 2006 for 2
years. An overland conveyor transports coal to railhead.
Name: Shewington
Location: Rosewell, Midlothian
Size: 550,000 tonnes of coal
Company: Scottish Coal
Planning Reference: 05/00840/FUL
Comments: Original planning application for 750,000 tonnes.
The Community Council was generally opposed to this
development and others like it (such as a nearby sand and
gravel pit) as they saw it as the ongoing industrialisation of an
area that has had more than its fair share.
Name: Muir Dean
Location: Crossgates, Fife
Size: 2,000,000 tonnes of coal
Company: ATH Resources
Planning Reference: 05/03715/WEIA
Comments: Applied for planning permission in October 2005.
Refused by Council but appeal sustained subject to Section
75 – the decision by the local council to refuse the application
was overturned by the Scottish Government sparking anger in
Crossgates. Covers an area of 180ha of mixed farming and
woodlands. Will produce for over 4.5 years. Work started April
2008.
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