Call-in inquiry opens for new deep coal mine in Cumbria

Today a controversial 4-week public inquiry opens for a called-in application for a deep metallurgical coal mine at Whitehaven, Cumbria. The inquiry is being heard shortly before the UK hosts COP26, the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, in November. The local planning authority takes a strictly neutral stance on the application. Two Rule 6 Parties, Friends of the Earth and SLACC (South Lakes Action on Climate Change), oppose the opening of the mine on numerous grounds: including climate change, the negative effect on Britain’s global climate leadership, and landscape impacts. The proposals have been reported in several national media outlets, including the BBC and the Guardian. The inquiry is being livestreamed on the Planning Inspectorate’s YouTube channel and can be viewed here. Paul Brown QC and Alex Shattock appear on behalf of Friends of the Earth.