Halton Lea Gate opencast protesters air views
Nov 26 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
OPPONENTS of plans for an opencast mine in Northumberland will tonight outline their concerns over the project.
A public meeting is to take place in the tiny hamlet of Halton Lea Gate, near the Cumbrian border, where HM Project Developments is seeking to excavate 140,000 tonnes of coal.
A planning application has already been submitted to Northumberland County Council for three and a half years’ work at the 75-acre site and is currently the subject of public consultation.
Tonight’s meeting is the second to be staged and the developers will be present.
Nick Kennon, chairman of the North Pennines Protection Group, last night said tensions were running high after developers advertised jobs for the project – making local people think they are presuming they will get the go-ahead.
Residents of Halton Lea Gate are also concerned that the site is adjacent to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is furthermore home to a number of bird sanctuaries, endangered species, otters, grouse and newts.
There are also concerns that people with asthma will suffer when dust from the site blows through the hamlet and as far away as Alston 12 miles away. In addition, residents fear the value of their homes will drop. Mr Kennon said: “It is just a horrendous outlook for all of us. This could go on for 20 years.”
Paul Murphy, of HM Project Developments, last night declined to comment ahead of today’s meeting. It takes place at Halton Lea Gate Methodist Hall at 6pm.
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