Ffos-Y-Fran coal mine could be served an enforcement order after the local authority refused to grant more time to extract mineral and restore the Merthyr Tydfil site in South Wales.
FAILURES
Operator Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd’s planning permission expired after 15 years on 6 September.
Owned by Gwent Investments Ltd, the company had sought an initial extension for nine months before amending its plans to 18 to extract the remaining 240,000 tonnes coal.
The coal was mainly destined for Tata steel works site in Port Talbot.
The mine, the UK’s largest opencast coal mine, has faced opposition from nearby residents.
On 26 April 2023, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s planning committee refused to grant permission because the proposals failed to meet the test of ‘wholly exceptional circumstances’ and were contrary to national and local planning policy.
“It also fails to provide an adequate contribution towards the restoration, aftercare and after-use of the site, to the detriment of the surrounding environment, contrary to the requirements of local development plan policies,” added the council.
“The council is currently reviewing appropriate enforcement action.
“We remain open to any discussion with the mine operator for a revised restoration strategy of the site, in light of the insufficient funds reported in the planning application.”
Concerns remain over restoration of the site while environmental campaigners are also considering legal action against the mine.