Yessss 👊— Holly-Anna Petersen (@HollyAPetersen) July 1, 2020
Well done to all those who have been protesting against this coal mine - @XRebellionUK and @CClimateAction
'Banks Group's Bradley West coal mine expansion plan rejected'https://t.co/VwEGrnJ2Hi
SUCCESS! Durham County Council REJECTS opencast coal mine : environmental impacts outweigh the 'benefits':— Coal Action Network (@CoalActionUK) July 1, 2020
WELL DONE @PontValleyCamp and all local campaigners! https://t.co/1qUl6Kiq2i pic.twitter.com/6TH7IaFBkN
6 months ago, we sat in Leadgate Miners' Hall with @PontValleyCamp @DefendDewley and allies from around county Durham as they put together a simple plan.— Coal Action Network (@CoalActionUK) July 2, 2020
Today we celebrate their success. Local organising works. https://t.co/vmCD2O7sN6 pic.twitter.com/KpUws6Jeyy
Despite more than 6,000 letters of objection, Durham County Council's planning officers had recommended Banks Mining be permitted to enlarge its Bradley West open-cast mine to extract an extra 90,000 tonnes of coal. However, councillors rejected the scheme. Councillor Mark Wilkes said:
When this first came up, it was argued it was in the national interest to dig this site up - I think it is now in the national interest not to.
The proposed community and national benefits do not outweigh the unacceptable impact on the environment and amenities of local communities.
Is it in the national interest to pump out more CO2 and other pollutants into the atmosphere and stymie the development of alternative technologies?
We have to protect the local community and the nation from adverse environmental impacts.
