Boris Johnson insisted that, although he opposes’more coal,’ the opening of a new Cumbria mine is not his decision.
The Prime Minister responded to intense questioning in Glasgow about the plan. He said, “I’m not for more coal, let me be very clear, but it is not a decision that I make.”
He said to the BBC, “It’s a local planning authority decision.”
The proposed site for a new coal mine in Cumbria. Since 2017, the plan was approved by Cumbria County Council three times. However, it was ‘called into’ for an inquiry in March.
Stephen Normington, the planning inspector, said that he would submit his recommendation to him in late December or early ianuarie after the public hearings closed on October 1.
West Cumbria Mining plans to open a new coal mine near Whitehaven in order to extract metallurgical and coking coal for its steel industry customers.
Since 2017, the plan was approved by Cumbria County council three times. However, it was ‘called into’ for an inquiry in March. A decision is due soon.
Tony Bosworth of Friends of the Earth disagreed with the Prime Minister’s assertions that the final decision rests with planning authorities. He warned: “Actions speak louder then words.”
Boris Johnson stated about the potential mine: “I’m against more coal, let’s be clear, but it is not a decision that I make.”
“If Boris Johnson doesn’t support more coal, then why did his Government take so long to ‘call-in’ planning permission for a new Cumbria coal mine? Mr Bosworth also added.
Boris Johnson seems not to believe that local planning authorities will decide if the Cumbria mine is built.
“The final decision will be made by his Government based on the evidence presented during the recent public inquiry which overwhelming showed that permission should not be granted.”
Stephen Normington, planning inspector, stated that he would make his recommendation by late December or early January after the public hearings closed on October 1.
In October, Johnson stated that ‘we don’t want to support new mines of coal’. However, Downing Street emphasised that he was speaking ‘in broader terms’ and not just about the Whitehaven plan.