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Judgement due in opencast appeal Go-ahead for huge opencast mine
(about 5 hours later)
A judgement will be given later on an appeal over plans for one of Europe's largest opencast mining projects. One of Europe's largest opencast mining projects can go ahead in south Wales, the Court of Appeal has decided.
The Welsh assembly first approved the Ffos-y-Fran scheme at Merthyr Tydfil in February last year.The Welsh assembly first approved the Ffos-y-Fran scheme at Merthyr Tydfil in February last year.
But the High Court quashed the decision after it was claimed Environment Minister Carwyn Jones had made his mind up before the planning committee. But the High Court quashed the decision after it was claimed Environment Minister Carwyn Jones had made his mind up before the planning committee met.
Mr Jones strongly denied the claim and the Welsh assembly took the case to the Court of Appeal. Mr Jones denied the claim and the Welsh assembly took the case to appeal judges, who have now given approval.
Local residents had campaigned against the scheme, which would lead to the extraction of 10 million tonnes of coal over 15 years. Local residents had campaigned against the scheme, which will lead to the extraction of 10m tonnes of coal over 15 years.
The High Court challenge centred on a claim that Mr Jones - who chaired the meeting which granted approval - had told an objector the day before that he was "going to go with the inspector's report" backing the scheme.The High Court challenge centred on a claim that Mr Jones - who chaired the meeting which granted approval - had told an objector the day before that he was "going to go with the inspector's report" backing the scheme.
High Court judge, Mr Justice Lindsay, said it was possible Mr Jones had been "biased" in favour of the scheme. High Court judge Mr Justice Lindsay said it was possible Mr Jones had been "biased" in favour of the scheme.
Long-runningLong-running
But the assembly government said the judge reached the wrong conclusion.But the assembly government said the judge reached the wrong conclusion.
Mr Jones remained adamant he never made the reported comment and said he was "disappointed" that he did not have the opportunity to state that to the court.Mr Jones remained adamant he never made the reported comment and said he was "disappointed" that he did not have the opportunity to state that to the court.
He was also cleared of any misconduct by the independent commissioner for standards.He was also cleared of any misconduct by the independent commissioner for standards.
The Welsh assembly won the right to appeal last March.The Welsh assembly won the right to appeal last March.
In the long-running dispute, campaigners claimed that they would suffer noise, dust and vibration problems from the site, with 20,000 tonnes of coal extracted each week.In the long-running dispute, campaigners claimed that they would suffer noise, dust and vibration problems from the site, with 20,000 tonnes of coal extracted each week.
Miller Argent (South Wales) Ltd said the plans would renovate a derelict site and create 200 jobs.Miller Argent (South Wales) Ltd said the plans would renovate a derelict site and create 200 jobs.