When the Planning Inquiry finished, we asked supporters for the coal mine and campaigners against it to provide us with six reasons for or against the scheme. Here’s what they had to say then…...
The proposed project to build a new coal mine in West Cumbria has certainly split opinion this year.
As we approach 2022 the county must wait patiently for the results of a planning inquiry which finished on October 1.
The £165 million plans, by West Cumbria Mining, would see an offshore coking coal mine created off the coast of Whitehaven.
It has been approved three times by Cumbria County Council but was called in by the Government for review.
A planning inquiry has been held, led by planning inspector Stephen Normington, who will make his recommendations to Michael Gove, the minister for local communities, next year.
The inspector will consider the particular merits of the case, taking into consideration the relevant legislative and national and local policy context.
The final decision rests with the Government.
We asked both sides of the debate to provide six reasons for or against the coal mine.
Six reasons why the mine should go ahead
We Support West Cumbria Mining has issued the following reasons why the mine should go ahead:
1. Global Climate Emergency – “As it stands everyone is in agreement that there is an issue and solutions are needed to stem the tide. At present, coking coal is mined and transferred across the globe, from places as far away as the USA.
“This project would see an end to importing coking coal to our shores and instead would see us as a nation being self-sufficient, sustainable and reliant on our own natural resources, thus reducing the carbon footprint.
“We need coking coal for the steelmaking process to produce and further green technologies.
2. “As the world’s first net-zero mine, the technologies imported to our shores would not only advance over the years, but this could see our region become a world leader in such technologies which could then be exported and shared with the world. Not dissimilar to our nuclear sector that we have already in our region.
“We need coking coal for the steelmaking process to produce and further green technologies.”
West Cumbria Mining say they would offset emissions with carbon credits from The Gold Standard Foundation. Carbon credits are measurable reductions in emissions by climate projects which offset the impact of other activities.
Climate campaigners dispute that the mine would be net-zero.
3. “Cumbria is recognised as one of the greenest counties in the UK and the UK is as it stands is the fourth greenest country in the world, behind Denmark, Luxembourg and Switzerland. (citygreen.com march 2021 – Top Ten Greenest Countries in the World)
“WCM would be a perfect fit in Cumbria’s green vision and mission. As it stands, we are already leading the way in nuclear technologies, wind and no doubt tidal which is not far off. Having WCM operational would be another green asset to our already green portfolio.
“Remember, the phrase – NIMBY – Not in My Backyard, well as it stands we currently have every project that many places in the UK would not entertain, Not in My Back Yard.
“Yet here we are, the majority of the local population are ready to welcome another world-beating project with open arms.
“We need coking coal for the steelmaking process to produce and further green technologies.”
There is no evidence to suggest that “the majority of the local population” support the mine.
4. “WCM would bring much-needed jobs to our region. Not only jobs on the construction of the project, jobs operating and running the project but jobs within the supply chain.
All told we are talking about a multi-billion pound investment brought into the region over the coming decades.
“And we need coking coal for the steelmaking process to produce and further green technologies.
5. “Infrastructure and community – heritage – WCM has committed and factored in community relations at the very heart of this project. Here we have an opportunity to further our communities and build on the well-being of such with a world-class company that will bring investment to many communities across the region.
“As part of the project, we assume that this would be a catalyst for infrastructure development across our region. For too long, we have been overlooked, undervalued and undersold.
“Heritage – It is well known that Cumbria, West Cumbria and Whitehaven, in particular, has a rich industrial history, from mining iron ore, graphite, coal and now coking coal. WCM as part of their community commitments is keen to celebrate such with the now idol Haig Pit Mining Museum.
6. “The reason for opening the mine in the first place is purely a solid business reason. Extracting coking coal from our shores is cheaper in the long run and cleaner than exporting it from around the world. Pure and simple. Cheaper, cleaner and greener. What’s not to love?”
Six reasons why the application should be refused
The South Lakes Action on Climate Change issued the following reasons why the application should be thrown out:
1. “The proposed mine will add nine million tonnes of CO2 every year at a time when the world is aiming to reduce and eliminate emissions from coal. This is a huge amount – significant for Cumbria, the UK and the world.
2. “The global political consensus is to reduce and eliminate coal as a fuel source because of the huge amount of CO2 it creates. To do this means not only closing existing mines but not opening new ones.
“The UK continues as the host country of COP for the next year, during which time it will be challenging China, India and other countries on their plans for using coal. It will lose credibility with other countries in this process if it approves this mine.
3. “The steel industry understands the problem of using coal, and every major steel producer is investigating and investing in alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen. Buyers of steel are also increasingly demanding ‘low carbon steel’ which is pushing progress faster than foreseen even two years ago. The proposed mine will likely be obsolete long before its proposed end date of 2049.
4. “The proposed Cumbria mine will produce a quality of coal that is not suitable for UK and European steelmakers. It will therefore not replace imports as advertised. Rather, it will rely upon global export markets and therefore higher delivered costs.
“It will also reach full production just as steel companies are reducing their reliance upon coal. This will cast a long shadow on the number and the quality of the jobs on offer.
5. “West Cumbria needs jobs that have a future. A variety of studies have highlighted the potential for jobs tied to renewable energy, energy efficiency and a low carbon Cumbria. Such jobs would be created across a wide range of companies and sectors delivering a resilient working environment.
“What’s needed is a collective effort from central and local governments, academia, and business to make these happen.
6. The proposed development would lead to the destruction of an area of ancient woodland. England is one of the countries that has been most denuded of its ancient woodlands. We should be restoring and regenerating what is left, not cutting more down.”
