"The Campaign to Protect Rural England is fundamentally opposed to
opencast mining in terms of carbon dioxide emissions as well as landscape impacts.
John Ladley, regeneration manager at Wakefield Council, urged his neighbouring authority to oppose the
opencast mining plan.
Digger Clare Reed said: "He is totally complicit in the destruction caused by
opencast mining in the valley and all the impacts inflicted on communities, but suffers none of the impacts himself."
''I make no apology for publicly stating that I don't like
opencast mining and that it has no place in North Warwickshire.
"It is a matter of history that
opencast mining was responsible for the major desecration of this part of Northumberland.
Carl Sargeant held a summit to discuss the challenges of restoring
opencast mining sites when operations come to an end.
The historical and widely acclaimed Tanfield Railway will also suffer possible damage through the
opencast mining taking place so close them, the dirt and noise may also put off their visitors.
"Local Conservatives, who are also opposed to
opencast mining in the area, pointed out that the county council had no choice but to include the site in the planning document as a direct result of rules brought in by John Prescott, and by various other ministers." Mr Byles added: "The idea that Shuttington is a suitable location for opencast coal mining is ridiculous.
She insisted the proposals were 'not an attempt to close down
opencast mining in Scotland'.
Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant suggested a moratorium on
opencast mining would not resolve problems around the issue.
Coun Jonathan Wallace, who is leading the campaign, said: "This is one of two applications for
opencast mining in the area.