Planning officers recommend Newcastle City Council reject opencast coal mine

The officers recommended it be turned down because of impacts on landscape, biodiversity and the green belt.

The environmental campaign group is urging the council’s planning committee to refuse permission when it meets on Friday 18 December.  

Newcastle City Council declared a Climate Emergency last year. 

Friends of the Earth north east campaigner Simon Bowens said:  

“We’re delighted that planning officers have recommended that permission for this unnecessary opencast coal mine be refused.  

“This controversial development would not only have big impacts on landscape, biodiversity and the green belt, it would also lead to more climate-wrecking emissions being pumped into our atmosphere.   

“Newcastle City Council, which declared a climate emergency last year, must reject this deeply damaging development.   

“Coal belongs to the past. We require rapid investment in a clean, modern economy to create new green jobs and build the zero-carbon future we need.”