Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said she was frustrated that a decision over the future of a new £160 million mine off the coast of Whitehaven has been delayed for a second time.
It has been revealed that the Government will not make a decision until November.
Following a lengthy planning inquiry, the Government initially had until July 7 to make a decision as to whether the mine could be built, but that was put back until August 17.
It added: “This is a quasi-judicial decision so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”
West Cumbria Mining’s planning application – despite being approved three times by Cumbria County Council – were called in by the then Housing, Communities and Local Government secretary Robert Jenrick after concerns over climate change and the UK’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Mr Jenrick was replaced by Mr Gove, who was sacked on July 6, before Boris Johnson was toppled as Prime Minister. Mr Johnson remains in the role as a caretaker until his successor is appointed next month.
Conservative MP Mrs Harrison said: “I am frustrated that the decision on Woodhouse Colliery has been delayed further. This is the second such delay this summer; the matter has been ongoing for seven years now and everyone involved needs a decision.
“I am however still hopeful of a positive outcome when the decision is delivered in November.”
