Battle begins over ‘monster’ mine
MORE than 200 people have turned out at a meeting to voice their objections to an opencast mine near their homes.
The campaigners crammed into St Laurence’s Church Hall, in High Street, Measham, to support the creation of a protest group against UK Coal.
UK Coal plans to mine 1.25 million tonnes of coal at the Minorca site, off the B4116 Gallows Lane, Measham.
Attendants to the meeting vehemently opposed the 12 hours a day, five days a week operation, expressing fears about health, air and noise pollution and soil quality.
Massive concerns were also raised that the plans, if accepted, could ruin the progress made by Measham since the introduction of the National Forest.
National Forest representatives could not attend the meeting, but protesters want them to back the battle.
Protesters are hopeful a successful campaign to prevent the same company mining around the old Minorca pit site in 1996 will stand them in good stead. Fred Steward, who lives in Appleby Magna, led the 1996 campaign to prevent 750,000 tonnes being mined from the former Minorca Pit site.
He told the meeting: “People wondered whether we could win the battle and we did.
“That was only 10 years ago. One of the key arguments was to show it would have an unacceptable impact on the community.
“We need to argue the legal grounds. We have to stand up and fight for it. I think we have the grounds and I feel positive.”
A protest group has now been set up in a bid to take the fight forward.
Measham residents Steve Leary and Phil Owen were selected as chairman and vice-chairman respectively.
Mr Leary said: “We know we have a battle ahead. This is our monster and we are fighting an even bigger monster.”
UK Coal is expected to submit a planning application early next year.
