High Court Stops Plan for New Deep Coalmine in Cumbria
The High Court has blocked the UK’s first deep coalmine project in 30 years, following concerns about its environmental impact.
Court’s Decision on Coal Project On Friday, Justice Holgate ruled that plans to build a deep coal mine in Whitehaven, Cumbria, had stopped. This decision was seen as a big win for environmental groups, who were worried about the harm coal could cause to the climate.
Why the Court Blocked the Plan The court’s decision is partly due to a previous Supreme Court ruling. In that case, the Supreme Court stopped an oil project in Surrey, saying that the impact of burning fossil fuels, like coal and oil, must be considered when approving projects. Burning coal releases harmful gases, and these projects can hurt efforts to reduce climate change.
Government’s Role in the Case The group that wanted to build the coal mine, called West Cumbria Mining (WCM), argued that the mine would not increase the UK’s pollution levels. They claimed the project would be “net zero,” meaning any pollution from the mine would be cancelled out by buying credits that reduce pollution in other countries. However, UK law doesn’t allow using international credits to meet pollution reduction targets. The government agreed this was a mistake and withdrew its support for the mine in the legal battle.
The Mine’s Impact Climate Experts said it would release over 220 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. This amount is more than half of the UK’s total emissions in 2022, mainly coming from burning the coal the mine would produce.
Environmental Groups’ Response Friends of the Earth, an environmental organization, challenged the mine’s approval. They argued that the climate effects of burning coal should have been considered before the project was approved. Their lawyers said that WCM failed to measure how much pollution the burning coal would cause.
A senior Friends of the Earth lawyer, Niall Toru, called the court’s decision a “huge victory” for the environment. He also said this ruling could affect similar cases in other countries fighting fossil fuel projects.
What Happens Next? Angela Rayner, the government minister in charge of housing and communities, will now have to review the mine’s planning application again. She might ask for new information or reopen the investigation into the mine’s impact. West Cumbria Mining can also choose to submit a new application for the mine.
Voices from Greenpeace Dr Doug Parr from Greenpeace UK said that coal mining should be a thing of the past and that the government should help communities find jobs that do not harm the climate.
WCM’s Response West Cumbria Mining has not yet commented on the court’s decision.
Clarification This article was updated on 13 September 2024 to clarify that the blocked mine would have been the first new deep coal mine in the UK in 30 years, not just any type of coal mine.
Read more:
- No Additional NHS Funding Without Essential Reforms, Says Starmer
- MPs Could Face Restrictions on Paid Media Work
- 14-Year-Old Girl Arrested for Arson After Fatal House Fire in Leicester
- UK Economy Stays Flat in July as Labour Takes Office
- Jeffrey Donaldson Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Offence Charges
- UAE Visa Amnesty 2024: Complete Guide to Process, Eligibility, and Application
- Sir Keir Starmer Travels to Ireland for a Fresh Start in Relations
- UK Working With European Police To Tackle Boat Gangs
- Labour Ministers Voice Concerns Over Winter Fuel Payment Cuts Amid Backbench Rebellion
- Teen Charged With Murder Of 80-Year-Old Dog Walker In Leicestershire Park
- Chief Prisons Inspector Warns of Early Release Risk: 1,750 Inmates to Be Freed
