Opencast appeal

Readers may recall the huge campaign fought last year against plans to opencast half a million tonnes of coal and fireclay from “Skon’s Park”, next to Gibside. The application was eventually defeated at Gateshead Council’s Planning Committee earlier this year.

The applicant, Halls of Durham, have now lodged an appeal with the Government’s Planning Inspectorate to try to get the decision of Gateshead Council reversed. This clearly brings the issue right back onto the agenda of local residents.

At this point, news is only starting to filter through. It is likely however that a public inquiry will be held which will examine all the planning aspects of the application. At this stage however, it is not definite that an inquiry will be held, but in the expectation one is held, the Inspector appointed will need to set the timetable.

We will keep you in touch with any news.

“The whole community will have to pull together to put a strong and reasoned case to the Inspector should an inquiry be held,” said Councillor Jonathan Wallace. “With my colleagues we will be working closely with local residents to persuade the Inspector to reject the appeal.”