New opencast coal mine will be built in Nottinghamshire

UK Coal Surface Mines has secured planning permission to extract over 1 million t of coal at a new opencast coal mine that will be built in Nottinghamshire.

Environmental firm, SLR Consulting, helped UK Coal secure the planning permission for the mine, which will be built at Shortwood Farm near Trowell.

The mine will see almost 1.3 million t of coal – as well as 250 000 t of fireclay – extracted over an estimated five years. The scheme includes restoration to agriculture, woodland, nature conservation and public amenity.

SLR undertook the preparation of the planning application and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and worked closely with UK Coal throughout the process to secure no technical objections to the application, despite there being considerable opposition locally to the scheme.

The development is set to cover an area of approximately 130 ha. Mining will be carried out over 56 ha and the site lies within the green belt adjacent to the M1 at Trowell.

The scheme will provide an important source of fuel to the local energy market while operational; and upon restoration will recreate large areas of new woodland, wildflower meadows and encourage species such as barn owls in the area.

The scheme received the green light following a review by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.

SLR’s project manager, Stewart Lenton, said: “Despite considerable local opposition to this complex scheme, we were able to successfully address every technical issue raised enabling a positive recommendation which was supported by members”

SLR and UK Coal are continuing to look at necessary projects that will run alongside the opencast mine, including required highways work.

Anton Fix, Area Planning Manager for UK Coal, said: “SLR’s professionalism and thorough approach helped to ensure our Shortwood scheme was approved at the earliest opportunity. We are delighted with the result and applaud SLR’s attention to detail.”

Adapted from press release by Sam Dodson

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/17072014/uk_opencast_coal_mine_awarded_planning_permission_1093/