A ultimate choice on whether or not a massively controversial new coal mine in Cumbria ought to get the go forward has been delayed once more.
The authorities had been resulting from rule subsequent week on whether or not planning permission for the pit close to Whitehaven needs to be granted or not.
But, amid main local weather considerations, ministers have now stated they are going to decide by 8 November as a substitute – when a brand new prime minister might be in place.
The proposed £165m facility, which might be the primary new coal mine opened within the UK in 30 years, has been on the centre of debate since plans for it had been first unveiled in 2018.
Supporters, which initially included the native county council, say it could carry huge employment and infrastructure alternatives in one of many nation’s poorest areas.
But opponents have known as the concept an environmental disaster. It would, stated Lord Deben, chair of the Climate Change Committee, be an act that was “absolutely indefensible”.
Announcing the delay in a letter to interested parties, Greg Clark, secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, said: “This is a complex matter and officials are not yet in a position to complete their considerations prior to providing advice to ministers.
“In these circumstances, given the imminent decision date, an additional period of time is required. Planning ministers will therefore not be in a position to reach a decision on this application by the previously notified date.”
It is the third deadline that has been set after a planning inquiry was held in September final 12 months – which itself was solely launched after the federal government U-turned on an preliminary refusal to carry a overview of Cumbria County Council’s choice to approve the mine.
The unique deadline had been 7 July, the day prime minister Boris Johnson resigned throwing the federal government into disarray.
Reacting to the information of the brand new delay, Victoria Marsom, from Friends of the Earth, stated: “The case against this coal mine is overwhelming regardless of how many times the decision is delayed…
“Fossil fuels cause enormous damage to both our environment and economy. Areas like Cumbria should be at the heart of building the greener future we need, so they can reap the benefits of the new jobs and opportunities this would bring.”
But Mike Starkie, elected mayor of Copeland, which incorporates Whitehaven, stated he was “absolutely furious” on the new delay.
He stated: “This is a planning decision we shouldn’t have to wait for a Prime Minister to be elected. The planning inspector has made his recommendation and I’m going to write to the Government and say the very least they can do is make the planning report public.”
Source: www.impartial.co.uk