A decision whether to go ahead with a new £160 million coal mine off the coast of West Cumbria has been delayed for a third time.
The Government was due to issue its decision by November 8 but it has put off for around a month.
Michael Gove, the Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities was scheduled to rule on the planning application by West Cumbria Mining after a lengthy planning inquiry.
The Planning Inspectorate’ report was submitted to the Government for consideration in April.
The Government said it needed more time to consider the case.
The application has been approved three times by the county council but was called in after campaigners said it did not align with the country’s net zero aspirations.
The original deadline for the decision was July 7, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson stood down as leader of the Conservative Party and prime minister.
A second deadline for a decision was set for August 17.
Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said: “I am frustrated that the decision on Woodhouse Colliery has been delayed further. 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 December.”
