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Protest march over opencast mine scheme
ENVIRONMENT campaigners are to hold a protest against plans for an opencast coal mine near a nationally-renowned wildlife reserve.
Mining firm HJ Banks wants to create a quarry to exploit a coal seam which emerges on the earth's surface close to Fairburn Ings, a reserve run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), between Leeds and Castleford.
Opponents of the plan, including residents of surrounding villages and environment campaigners, are to stage a protest march around the site on Saturday. It is being organised by Yorkshire Against New Coal (Yanc) and Residents Against Greenbelt Exploitation (Rage). The proposed mining site is within Leeds City Council's boundaries and is designated Green Belt.
Fairbairn Ings is nearby and attracts 100,000 visitors a year.
The campaigners argue that the coal quarry will affect the natural water supply to the Ings.
Organisers said: "The Ings at Fairburn, Ledsham and Newton are designated sites of special scientific, ecological and geological interest overseen by Natural England (English Nature).
"The water quality and levels in the Ings are crucial to the well being of the wildlife. The proposal will cut through the water bearing strata, which feeds the Ings, and remove the limestone which acts as a natural filter.
"When a similar site was dug at St Aidan's it drained Mickletown Ings site of special scientific interest on the opposite side of the River Aire."
The proposed opencast site contains about 1.2 million tonnes of coal, limestone and other minerals, which will be taken out over a five year period if the sceheme receives planning permission.
Opposition groups have been established in the villages of Ledston, Ledsham, Fairburn and Newton.
The protest march, expected to take one hour, will assemble at 12pm at the White Horse pub at Ledston.
And Friends of the Earth protesters will cycle to the march setting off from The Common Place social club in Wharfe Street, Leeds, at 9.30am.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 11 February 2012
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