West Cumbria Mining Ltd has lost support from the local authority for the company’s plans to build a metallurgical coal mine under the seabed off the coast of Whitehaven in Cumbria.
The Planning Inspectorate is due to hold a public inquiry on the company’s application after the Secretary of State decided to call in the plans for him to decide, after previously refusing to do so.
In line with requirements of the inquiry, Cumbria County Council submitted a statement of case on 5 May to the Inspectorate.
“The council has now decided that its position on the application is one of neutrality, neither supporting the application nor opposing it.”
On Monday 3 May, WCM announced on its website that many opponents of the mine were from outside the proposed mine area.
“WCM has been approached by many of the local community, frustrated by news reports that ‘local’ people do not want the mine to go ahead.
“Most of the people opposed to the project are not from the local area.”
The public inquiry is due to be held 7 July 2020.