Copeland’s political leaders said they were dismayed by the decision to reassess plans for an offshore coal mine in Whitehaven.
Mayor Mike Starkie and MP Trudy Harrison released a joint statement following the news that Cumbria County Council has decided that its decision to grant West Cumbria Mining the go-ahead will be reconsidered.
The county said this was in light of new information from the Government about climate change.
Mr Starkie and Mrs Harrisons statement said: “We are dismayed. The decision has been made time and again, based on the forensic details the planning committee had in front of them, and the decision has repeatedly been to approve this important development.
“The Government has now twice declined to call-in the decision, stating rightly that this is a decision best made locally.
“We have championed – and lobbied – for this development and will continue to do so more strongly than ever.
In terms of green energy, all green technology needs steel, and the metallurgical coal to be extracted by West Cumbria Mining is coking coal that will be used for steel.
“It will reduce the carbon footprint significantly to be mined here, in a modern and environmentally-efficient mine, than being mined elsewhere and shipped here from the USA, Australia, Russia and around the world.
“The project fully accords with the UK’s green industrial commitments and includes legal conditions that production will not go beyond 2049 and the highest levels of greenhouse gas emission mitigation.
“It is also incredibly significant that the project will bring £160 million of private investment and 500 jobs into our community to help drive our post-COVID economy.
“We need this development, and we once again implore Cumbria County Council to stand by their decision.”
