The decision over the future of a new £160 million coal mine off the coast of Whitehaven has been delayed for a second time.
It is being reported 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.
Now, the BBC is reporting that a decision will now not be made on or before November 8.
The Department for Levelling Up 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.”
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 Michael Gove in September in a straightforward cabinet reshuffle.
But then Mr Gove was sacked on July 6 and replaced by Greg Clark.
The country is also waiting for a new Prime Minister to be selected as Boris Johnson, who previously said the mine should not go ahead, is in a caretaker role.
