Surface Mining - Introduction
On 1st October 2007 UK Coal confirmed that it was pressing ahead with plans to mine 900,000 tonnes of coal from land near to New Works and Huntington, and submitted a planning application to T & W Council at the end of November 2007.The plans were first outlined at a Public Meeting held in Little Wenlock village hall in March 2007.
An open public meeting was called by Little Wenlock Parish Council on 21st January 2008 to discuss the UK Coal planning application for opencast mining. Subsequent to this meeting, a formal response from the Parish Council to UK Coal's proposals was submitted in February 2008.
A Planning Inquiry into the application by UK Coal was called by Inspectors during early 2009.
Following submissions by UK Coal, T&W Council, Little Wenlock PC, Friends of The Ercall, and many interested groups and individuals, the Inquiry finished on May 28th 2009.
Following this inquiry, the inspectors recommended to the Secretary of State that the UK Coal application be granted.
Prior to work commencing on the surface mine site, a Community Liaison Committee (CLC) was formed in January 2010 with membership consisting of nominated residents, Parish Councillors, Borough Councillors, Telford & Wrekin Planning Officers, and UK Coal Representatives.
This committee will meet regularly, and will communicate proceedings via this website and a newsletter.
Complaints about any aspect of mining activities should, in the first instance, be addressed to:
- UK Coal Site Manager Mr Peter Greenwood.
In the event of a perceived non-compliance with planning conditions, please contact:
- Planning Officer, Telford & Wrekin Council, Mr Dave Coxhill Tel 01952 384236.
The Community Liaison Committee is willing to work with UK Coal and T&W Council so that there is minimal disruption and disturbance to the local residents.
The following documents, along with various committee minutes and other documents, are available to download:
UK Coal Environmental Statement (this pdf is a large document so we have included just the first few pages. For full details hard copies are available if required from Peter Whittle, CLC Chairman, Tel 01952 502354.)
Secretary of State's Decision Letter (pdf document, about 115 KB)
HGV Haulage Routes (approx 1Mb pdf download)
The following will be attached as they become available:
- Planning Conditions
- Planning Conditions Schemes
- Site Plan and Restoration Plan
- Rights of Way Information
- Natural History
