West Cumbria Mining (WCM) said it was confident the Government would support its plans for a metallurgical coal mine near Whitehaven after the company received council approval today.
The final decision is now awaiting possible referral to the Government after Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick issued a holding order to Cumbria County Council earlier this week.
This could see the plans either called in for Mr Jenrick to make the final decision or return the matter to the council to confirm today’s approval.
WCM chief executive Mark Kirkbride said the decision marked another very important milestone for the company.
“We remain confident that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, will also be able to quickly conclude, as he did so previously, that nothing has changed such that the holding direction can be removed and the final planning permit be issued.
“I am now looking forward to moving positively towards the construction of Woodhouse Colliery and harnessing the extensive mining history and knowledge in West Cumbria to operate a state-of-the-art mine, including the highest levels of health and safety and technology to ultimately realise our vision of becoming a leading European producer of high-quality metallurgical coal for steel making.
“It is anticipated that site work will start early next year (before spring 2021), with initial coal production commencing around 18 months from the start of construction.”
The application involves the development of a new underground metallurgical coal mine and associated development at Former Marchon Site, Pow Beck Valley and area from Marchon Site to St Bees Coast, Whitehaven in Cumbria.
In 2019, the Government agreed with the council’s first approval the project and rejected the request for the application to be called in.
WCM has been working on its plans since 2014 to develop the mine, which will be the first deep coal mine in the UK for 30 years, to supply coal to the steel industry.