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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cumbria coal mine: Decision delayed until November | Cumbria coal mine: Decision delayed until November |
| (4 months later) | |
| The former Marchon chemical works on the outskirts of Whitehaven is the site of the proposed mine | The former Marchon chemical works on the outskirts of Whitehaven is the site of the proposed mine |
| A decision on whether to go ahead with a new coal mine in Cumbria has been delayed for a second time. | A decision on whether to go ahead with a new coal mine in Cumbria has been delayed for a second time. |
| The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said it would now be made "on or before 8 November". | The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said it would now be made "on or before 8 November". |
| The Planning Inspectorate's report has been with the government since April and a decision was due in August. | The Planning Inspectorate's report has been with the government since April and a decision was due in August. |
| If allowed it would be the first deep coal mine to open in the UK for more than 30 years. | If allowed it would be the first deep coal mine to open in the UK for more than 30 years. |
| The department said officials were "not yet in a position to complete their consideration before providing advice to ministers". | The department said officials were "not yet in a position to complete their consideration before providing advice to ministers". |
| It added: "This is a quasi-judicial decision so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage." | It added: "This is a quasi-judicial decision so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage." |
| The proposed mine at Whitehaven would remove coking coal from beneath the Irish Sea for the production of steel in the UK and Europe. | The proposed mine at Whitehaven would remove coking coal from beneath the Irish Sea for the production of steel in the UK and Europe. |
| The coal would not be used for power generation. | The coal would not be used for power generation. |
| 'Outrageous and unacceptable' | 'Outrageous and unacceptable' |
| A public inquiry was held by the Planning Inspectorate into whether West Cumbria Mining could mine coking coal at the former Marchon chemical works site. | A public inquiry was held by the Planning Inspectorate into whether West Cumbria Mining could mine coking coal at the former Marchon chemical works site. |
| Supporters claim it will create jobs and reduce the need to import coal for steelmaking. | Supporters claim it will create jobs and reduce the need to import coal for steelmaking. |
| The Conservative mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie, who has previously said local support for the mine is strong, called the latest delay "outrageous and totally unacceptable". | The Conservative mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie, who has previously said local support for the mine is strong, called the latest delay "outrageous and totally unacceptable". |
| "To now move the goalposts to November is appalling and there is no justification whatsoever." | "To now move the goalposts to November is appalling and there is no justification whatsoever." |
| He said it was a "dreadful way" to treat private investors and called on Tory leadership contenders Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak "to use their influence to bring this to a conclusion". | He said it was a "dreadful way" to treat private investors and called on Tory leadership contenders Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak "to use their influence to bring this to a conclusion". |
| Opponents of the mine have previously protested outside the Home Office in London as well as at the site in Whitehaven | Opponents of the mine have previously protested outside the Home Office in London as well as at the site in Whitehaven |
| Victoria Marsom, from Friends of the Earth, who have campaigned against the mine said areas like Cumbria should be "at the heart of building the greener future we need". | Victoria Marsom, from Friends of the Earth, who have campaigned against the mine said areas like Cumbria should be "at the heart of building the greener future we need". |
| "The UK and European market for coking coal is set to rapidly diminish as manufacturers switch to greener steel, while coal from this mine won't replace Russian imports," she added. | "The UK and European market for coking coal is set to rapidly diminish as manufacturers switch to greener steel, while coal from this mine won't replace Russian imports," she added. |
| "However, this new mine will increase carbon emissions, with the government's climate watchdog describing it as 'absolutely indefensible'." | "However, this new mine will increase carbon emissions, with the government's climate watchdog describing it as 'absolutely indefensible'." |
| The original deadline for the decision was 7 July, and it is believed the Prime Minister Boris Johnson was scheduled to be in Cumbria on that day. | The original deadline for the decision was 7 July, and it is believed the Prime Minister Boris Johnson was scheduled to be in Cumbria on that day. |
| However, in a twist of fate, it was the same day Mr Johnson announced he was to stand down as leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister. | However, in a twist of fate, it was the same day Mr Johnson announced he was to stand down as leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister. |
| A second deadline for a decision was set for 17 August but that too has now been pushed back - potentially until after a new prime minister is announced on 5 September. | A second deadline for a decision was set for 17 August but that too has now been pushed back - potentially until after a new prime minister is announced on 5 September. |
| The mine was approved to operate until 2049 by Cumbria County Council in October 2020, but just four months later the authority suspended its decision. | The mine was approved to operate until 2049 by Cumbria County Council in October 2020, but just four months later the authority suspended its decision. |
| West Cumbria Mining previously said exploratory works led it to estimate there were about 750m tonnes of "excellent quality" coking coal in the area. | West Cumbria Mining previously said exploratory works led it to estimate there were about 750m tonnes of "excellent quality" coking coal in the area. |
| However, planning conditions would limit the company to producing no more than 2.78m tonnes a year. | However, planning conditions would limit the company to producing no more than 2.78m tonnes a year. |
| Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. | Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Whitehaven | Whitehaven |
| Cumbria |