CGI showing how the new mine could look
(Picture: West Cumbria Mining Company)Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove has granted planning permission for a new coal mine in Cumbria.
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesman said: “The Secretary of State has agreed to grant planning permission for a new metallurgical coal mine in Cumbria as recommended by the independent planning inspector.
“This coal will be used for the production of steel and would otherwise need to be imported. It will not be used for power generation.
“The mine seeks to be net zero in its operations and is expected to contribute to local employment and the wider economy.”
It will be Britain’s first new deep coal mine in 30 years.
Environmental group Friends of the Earth has criticised the decision, slamming it as “appalling”.
Campaigner Tony Bosworth said: “Approving this mine is a misguided and deeply damaging mistake that flies in the face of all the evidence. The mine isn’t needed, will add to global climate emissions, and won’t replace Russian coal.
“Scientists are clear that new fossil fuel projects are not compatible with meeting global climate goals to limit warming to 1.5C.
“The market for this coal is rapidly disappearing as UK and European steelmakers recognise that green steel is the future, and this mine risks becoming an expensive stranded asset.”
The plan has received backing from some Tory MPs, but has also drawn significant criticism from environmentalists.
Tom Fyans, interim chief executive at countryside charity CPRE, described the decision as “absurdly retrograde”.
“Instead of grasping the opportunity to lead the world in a clean and green industrial revolution, here we are clinging on to the dirty coal that powered and poisoned the Victorian era,” he said.
Greenpeace UK policy director Doug Parr said the Government “risks becoming a superpower in climate hypocrisy rather than climate leadership”.
“How can we possibly expect other countries to rein in fossil fuel extraction when we’re building new coal mines here?” he said.
“Worse still, this mine will do absolutely nothing for the UK’s energy security since the coal it contains can only be used for steelmaking, not generating power. There’s a technological revolution building in steel-making, but this approach could make the UK a backwater in the 21st-century clean tech race.”
Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme ahead of the decision on Wednesday, shadow climate secretary Ed Miliband warned the Government against granting approval for the new mine.
He said that “weakness” would be the only explanation if the plan were to go ahead.
“It will be a disaster and it would mean a message was heard around the world about UK climate hypocrisy,” he said.
