We’re disappointed to let you know that on the 6th January 2020, the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick said that the government will not step in and review Cumbria County Council’s decision to approve the Woodhouse Colliery Application.
Late on the 8th September 2020, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government said that Banks Group will not be allowed to extract coal from Highthorn, close to Druridge Bay, Northumberland. Save Druridge, the local community group, are delighted.
VIDEO: New UK mines would not 'save carbon' - a leading resource economist and policy advisor explains why coal companies are talking “economic nonsense”.
The UK still extracts and imports coal, primarily through opencast mining methods, for steel and cement production as well as for power stations.
There are several new coal mines proposed in the planning system awaiting approval, and these have been delayed and contested by grassroots community campaigns.
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Latest news and commentary on coal
"Not only does coal mining scar the landscape and cause pollution for countryside communities, it further fuels climate and ecological breakdown. If the UK is to host COP26 while simultaneously approving the extraction of coal, we risk becoming an international laughing stock."
Government defends Cumbria mine - critics say it'll make UK a laughing stock https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55668507 @CPRE