Sponsored by
Leeds beauty spot mining set for go-ahead - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
Opencast mining near a Yorkshire beauty spot looks set to be approved by Leeds council planners.
The scheme to mine 875,000 tonnes of coal at a site near Fairburn Ings nature reserve is expected to get the nod at a meeting of Leeds City Council's east plans panel next Thursday.
The plans by Banks Developments for land off Back Newton Lane have been fought bitterly for more than two years by local people and environment campaigners.
Residents from villages of Ledsham, Ledston and Fairburn fear the scheme will have a devastating impact on their peaceful homes and are set to attend the meeting.
A report which will go before the panel recommends that the plans be given the all clear subject to conditions.
The planning officer's report says Banks has addressed objections and while the scneme was "unlikely to be popular", the environmental impact was "not unacceptable".
Campaigners have organised rallies and protests under the banners of Residents Against Greenbelt Exploitation (Rage), formed in the wake of the scheme and Yorkshire Against New Coal (Yanc).
They fear the plans will mean more lorries on the road in their community and fear the mine could impact on wildlife at Fairburn Ings, one of the North's favourite birdwatching reserves.
Chris Mackins of Yanc told the YEP: "We will be attending the meeting and are hoping to put out points across.
"There has been a massive strength of public feeling about these plans for a long time now. Politically, we also have had several councillors supporting us too and we'll see what happens at the meeting now."
Banks has said the company would use the quietest machinery available and haulage routes would not go through Ledston village.
The firm also said the project would create around 41 local jobs, as well as supporting many others in local supply chain businesses.
Restoration of woodland would also take place as part of the Banks proposals.
To view a copy of the planning report, visit www.leeds.gov.uk.
What's the weather forecast for Leeds today?
Sign up to the Yorkshire Evening Post's email alerts
Keep up to date with the state of roads in and around Leeds with our live traffic cameras
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
