Opencast protestors call expert
A CAMPAIGN group has called in an internationally renowned health expert in its battle to stop an opencast mining site being built close to their Northumberland hamlet.
HM Project Developments is seeking to excavate 140,000 tonnes of coal from a site close to the tiny hamlet of Halton Lea Gate, near the Cumbrian border.
But now opponents to the scheme have enlisted the help of Dr Dick van Steenis, an expert in industrial air pollution and its effects on health.
Dr van Steenis, a retired GP who is based in Wales, has spent almost 15 years researching the subject, carrying out studies throughout the country.
Hamlet-resident Nick Kennon is chairman of the North Pennines Protection Group, and has helped lead opposition to the 75-acre site development.
He said: “He is obviously a clever man and is quite reputable – the knowledge he has got is unbelievable. What we are going to do is digest all the information, and he is going to produce a health impact assessment.
“He believes that there is a good chance we can get it stopped on health grounds.” Opencast research carried out by Dr van Steenis has included detailed studies of school pupil health records close to sites, specifically asthma levels, as well as the effects on adults living in opencast areas.
His research, which includes studies carried out in the UK and America, also includes the potential negative health effects of people who work on opencast sites.
Two public meetings, each attended by more than 100 people, have been held in the hamlet to discuss the proposal, and the campaign group is encouraging as people to write to Northumberland County Council objecting to plans.
The application will go before the council’s planning committee in March, and Mr Kennon said the plan was to have Dr van Steenis outlining the health implications in person.
Opponents to the scheme are also concerned that the site is adjacent to the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and a site of Special Scientific Interest. It is also home to a number of bird sanctuaries, endangered species, otters, grouse and newts.
The opencast row at Halton Lea Gate is one of a number of controversial developments in Northumberland. UK Coal wants to extract a million tonnes of coal and 200,000 tonnes of fireclay from 250 acres of land at Butterwell, north of Morpeth.
Attempts to put the shackles on surface mining operations in recent years have been thwarted by Government decisions and industry objections, seemingly making it easier for developments to take place.
Paul Murphy, of HM Project Developments, declined to comment last night.
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